Prosecution will still be possible for the most serious dispensing errors despite new legislation giving pharmacists a legal defence for inadvertent mistakes, according to pharmacy minister Steve Brine.
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Although the new law is expected to reduce the risk of prosecution, it will still be possible for the most serious dispensing errors – for example when the mistake leads to a patient death – under offences such as gross negligence manslaughter, Mr Brine said on Monday (23 April).
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However, an impact assessment published alongside the legislation predicted that the reduced risk of prosecution and estimated benefit to pharmacy businesses means that the sector could see savings of £565,770, he added.
The Winchester MP was answering a written question from All-Party Pharmacy Group (APPG) chair Sir Kevin Barron on whether the Government had assessed the possible effects of decriminalisation.
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The law finally came into effect earlier this month (16 April) after years of campaigning from the sector.
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