There is a big difference between being recklessly negligent and making an unfortunate mistake which causes a dispensing error. In circumstances where mistakes occur, we believe that a criminal prosecution is entirely inappropriate. Furthermore the very notion that a pharmacist with a previously unblemished professional career can be given a suspended custodial sentence for an error in the workplace has caused outrage throughout the profession .
Such a development does not occur with any other healthcare profession, as once gross negligence and recklessness has been excluded by any initial police investigation, the matter is passed to the relevant healthcare regulator. Not so for pharmacy, and this is an inequity that must be addressed.
Equally, the public have a right to expect that their pharmacist is able to work in a safe working environment, using safe systems and with appropriate resources available. This case has highlighted the need for new thinking and action in this important area.
This conference will inform delegates of the PDA's plans to address the decriminalisation of dispensing errors.
It will also launch the strategy which will seek to make working environments and operating systems safer for the benefit of patients and pharmacists.
This conference will involve a call to action for pharmacists to play their part in the campaign.
Such a development does not occur with any other healthcare profession, as once gross negligence and recklessness has been excluded by any initial police investigation, the matter is passed to the relevant healthcare regulator. Not so for pharmacy, and this is an inequity that must be addressed.
Equally, the public have a right to expect that their pharmacist is able to work in a safe working environment, using safe systems and with appropriate resources available. This case has highlighted the need for new thinking and action in this important area.
This conference will inform delegates of the PDA's plans to address the decriminalisation of dispensing errors.
It will also launch the strategy which will seek to make working environments and operating systems safer for the benefit of patients and pharmacists.
This conference will involve a call to action for pharmacists to play their part in the campaign.