Things to do and things to know in community pharmacy across the UK

Accessible Information Standard: are you ready?

All organisations in England that provide NHS and adult social care are informed through the Standard about what they need do to ensure that patients and service users (and their carers/parents if applicable) receive information in an accessible format that they are able to understand. The aim of the Standard is to support communication with patients who have a disability, impairment or sensory loss.

By April 2016, pharmacy contractors are required to have started planning implementation of the Standard and conducting an assessment of existing systems and processes within the pharmacy.

By 31 July 2016, pharmacy contractors must comply with all aspects of the Standard. To find out more about the requirements, visit npa.co.uk. ENGLAND

The National Living Wage

The Government’s National Living Wage was introduced in April 2016 for all working people aged 25 and over, and is set at £7.20 per hour. The current National Minimum Wage for those under the age of 25 will continue to apply. Employers need to ensure they are paying their employees the correct rates of pay in all instances. UK

Auto enrolment

The Pensions Regulator has issued a reminder to small employers about working out what their automatic enrolment duties are and whether they need to provide a pension for their staff. For further information, contact the NPA Employment Advisory Service on 0330 123 0558. UK

Flu vaccination planning

Face-to-face practical training is now available. Available dates published are May-September. More information at npa.co.uk. UK

Regulating nicotine products

Currently electronic cigarettes are only covered by consumer product regulation. From 20th May 2016 they will come under the revised EU Tobacco Products Directive, except where therapeutic claims are made or they contain over 20 mg/ml of nicotine, when they will require medicines authorisation under Directive 2001/83/ EC UK.

New Premises regulations – GPhC Pharmacy Order

Changes to The Medicines Act 1968 and Pharmacy Order 2010 which came into effect on 12th April 2016 include the removal of the requirement for the GPhC standards for registered pharmacy premises to be set in rules. There is also the introduction of the use of interim suspension orders by the GPhC against pharmacy owners when that is in the public interest. ENGLAND

Pharmacist pre-registration scheme

Deadline to submit your application to enter pre-registration training for trainees planning to sit the summer assessment is 3 June 2016. ENGLAND

Errors in printed British National Formulary (BNF)

Pharmacists are advised to use the electronic version of the BNF 70 and the BNF for children 2015-16 for children following errors in the print editions. UK

Redesigned Patient Safety Incident Form

A new form can be downloaded via npa.co.uk. Any reports received using the old version will no longer be processed. UK