British Chemist and All Chemists (9011271)

Inspection summary findings

Principle 1. Governance

The pharmacy does not identify and manage some of the key risks associated with providing services at a distance. For instance, the prescriber does not always satisfactorily verify people’s identity or medical history. The pharmacy has written instructions to help make sure services such as prescribing are provided safely but the prescriber does not always follow all the steps in the process. And the pharmacy’s prescribing policy does not detail all the steps the prescriber should follow to help make sure they prescribe the most suitable treatment. The prescriber does not always keep detailed records of people’s relevant clinical information or share it with their doctor or with other healthcare professionals. The pharmacy does have measures in place to help limit the quantity of higher risk medicines which can be ordered. The prescriber does refuse some supplies of medicines but does not fully document the reasons. The pharmacy protects people’s private information.

Principle 2. Staff

The pharmacy is unable to demonstrate that its prescriber has a suitable level of competency required to provide some of its clinical services such as prescribing specialist medicines. These are usually prescribed by specialist prescribers and fall outside his scope of practice. And he does not benefit from the feedback of peer review to identify gaps in his skills and knowledge. 

Principle 3. Premises

The pharmacy’s website allows people to choose some medicines before having a consultation with its prescriber. It displays up‐to‐date information so people can contact the pharmacy and leave feedback. The pharmacy's premises are clean, bright and secure. The design and layout of the pharmacy is generally suitable for its activities and the provision of healthcare. The pharmacy prevents unauthorised access to its premises when it is closed. So, it keeps its medicines and people's information safe.

Principle 4. Services, including medicines management

Overall, the pharmacy does not have sufficiently effective governance procedures in place to ensure that it provides safe and effective services. The pharmacy does not conduct suitable identification checks of people requesting its services online. It does not independently verify clinical information that people provide. And it doesn't always share detailed information with people's usual doctor about the treatment it provides them with. The prescriber does not record face-to-face consultations in sufficient detail, leaving out key areas of the consultation. This is not in line with the pharmacy's written procedure. People with different needs can access the pharmacy and its services. The pharmacy obtains its medicines from reputable sources. And it mostly stores and manages them so it can be sure they are fit for purpose. The pharmacist knows what to do if any medicines or devices need to be returned to the suppliers but it does not keep records so it may not be able to show that it took the right steps to keep people safe. 

Principle 5. Equipment and facilities

The pharmacy has the equipment and facilities it needs for the services it offers. The pharmacy uses its equipment appropriately to keep people's private information safe.