Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Pharmacists' Defence Association’s "Safer Pharmacies Charter".

Legislation requires the safe and effective working of pharmacies. The General Pharmaceutical Council and Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland set out standards and core requirements for registered pharmacy professionals and registered pharmacies to achieve this.

The standards cover a range of issues to ensure safe and effective care. Key themes emphasised in the standards include person-centred care, demonstrating leadership, greater accountability on the part of pharmacy professionals and ensuring that there are enough staff, suitably qualified and skilled. The Pharmacists' Defence Association’s Safer Pharmacies Charter closely aligns with the requirements in these standards.