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Pharmacy inspections

Inspection reports and learning from inspections

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Working with other pharmacies to support business continuity planning

Pharmacy type

Community

Pharmacy context

​COVID-19

Relevant standards

  • 1.1 - The risks associated with providing pharmacy services are identified and managed

Why this is notable practice

The pharmacy is working closely with neighbouring pharmacies to ensure that, even if the pharmacy has to close temporarily, the supply of medicines to people will not be disrupted.

How the pharmacy did this

The pharmacy had conducted a risk assessment and had updated its business continuity plan. It had updated its plan during the COVID-19 pandemic to accommodate any potential disruption to its services if it were to be identified for closure as a result of the NHS ‘test and trace’ scheme. The pharmacist had a good working relationship with other local pharmacies. He had contacted the two pharmacies closest to his own and had discussed the risks of closure with them. They had also discussed the potential impact that a sudden increase in prescription numbers would have on their existing workload. So, they carried out a further risk assessment. And between them the three pharmacies secured an agreement which would ensure that people would still be able to get their medicines if any of them had to close at short notice.

What difference this made to patients

The agreement means that people can easily get their medicines if one of the pharmacies has to close temporarily. And any associated risks to their health is minimised.

Highlighted standards

We have identified the standards most likely and least likely to be met in inspections, and highlighted examples of notable practice for each of these standards; to help everyone learn from others and to support continuous improvement:

  1. 1.1 Risk management
  2. 1.2 Reviewing and monitoring the safety of services
  3. 4.2 Safe and effective service delivery
  4. 4.3 Sourcing and safe, secure management of medicines and devices
  5. 2.2 Staff skills and qualifications