Regula+e - General Pharmaceutical Council

Registrant update
Update on
dispensing
errors
A proposed amendment to the Health
and Social Care Bill seeking a due diligence
defence in the event of a dispensing error
was withdrawn as the Bill made its way
through the final stages of debate in the
House of Lords.
Liberal Democrat peer, Lord Tim Clement-
Jones, had sought an amendment to the
effect that anyone at risk of prosecution
under section 67 of the Medicines Act
would be able to mount a defence that
they had exercised all due diligence to
avoid committing such an offence.
Speaking in the Lords on the withdrawal
of this amendment, Health Minister in the
Lords, Lord Howe, said;
“The Medicines and Healthcare products
Regulatory Agency (MHRA) intends to
carry out a review of sanctions and
penalties in medicines legislation. This will
extend well beyond issues that have
arisen in dispensing errors, but the review
will look at the respective roles of
medicines legislation and professional
regulation in this area.
“The possible role of a due diligence
defence will remain on the table for
consideration in the wider context of this
review. It is worth stressing this point as
due diligence defences have a well
established usage in association with strict
liability offences in many areas of
legislation, including medicines legislation.
“This will be a significant and wideranging
review, and it is important to
ensure that it covers the right ground. The
MHRA would aim to scope the coverage,
conduct and timetable of the review by
September 2012.”
Chief Executive and Registrar,
Duncan Rudkin, said:
“Our view remains that single dispensing
errors, without other significant
aggravating factors, will not amount to a
fitness to practise concern.”
Planning for
the London
Olympics
As part of our planning for the
London Olympics, we have reviewed
the logistics of holding our fitness to
practise hearings In London and at
other locations. We have decided
that from 26 July to 7 September,
our hearings will be held at:
Maple House (first floor)
150 Corporation Street
Birmingham B4 6TB
We will ensure that registrants,
witnesses, advocates, and others
affected by this move are made aware
of this change of location.
The London Olympics will bring an
influx of visitors, staff, and athletes to
Great Britain. Resources to assist with
planning and business continuity
include the Royal Pharmaceutical
Society’s dedicated webpage at
http://www.rpharms.com/
your-day-to-day-practice/pharmacyand-the-olympics.asp
4 Regula+e: March 2012 | Issue 4