Retired pharmacists, who could be called back into pharmacies to help with the coronavirus, must not be pressured into doing so, the Pharmacists Defence Association (PDA) has urged.
Today (12 March), the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) signed off its re-registration arrangements, which could see up to 5,800 deregistered pharmacists and pharmacy technicians drafted in to support the sector in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Under the policy, the Council
can temporarily register ‘fit, proper and suitably experienced’ former
pharmacists and technicians, in the event that an emergency is declared by the
government.
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In the first instance, the
GPhC could deploy 2,700 pharmacists and 1,300 pharmacy technicians who
voluntarily took themselves of the register within the last two years.
A second phase could see an
extra 900 pharmacists and 900 technicians called back into work on a temporary
basis.
The PDA welcomed the practicality of the proposals but noted
that any retired staff who go back to work temporarily must do so of their own
volition.
‘Such a change will enable those retired
pharmacists who wish to participate in and support any emergency programmes to
do so. However, it must be recognised that pharmacists who choose to retire,
usually do so for a reason.
‘It must therefore not become an
unreasonable expectation or become a device which is used to pressurise retired
pharmacists who are uncomfortable about returning to practice to do so,’ a
spokesperson said.
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The PDA added that returning pharmacists
must have clearly outlined terms for the work they will be expected to carry
out.
‘At all times,
such a proposal to participate and support the national Covid-19 response must
lead to pharmacists being able to practice if they wish to, enabling them to do
so safely and in a way that minimises their risk of regulatory or other
exposure.
‘We expect that
our members will also want to have clear proposals that explain aspects such as
hours, location and the defined terms and scope of their work so that they are
fully aware of what is being asked of them,’ the spokesperson said.
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Yesterday (11 March), the government promised to dedicate an initial £5bn to help
the NHS get through the coronavirus outbreak.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the
regulator announced that pharmacy inspections ‘under
review’ during coronavirus.
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