Inspection outcome: Standards met
Last inspection: 17/04/2024
Pharmacy context
This is a distance‐selling pharmacy located within a large industrial unit in East London. The pharmacy dispenses unlicensed topical medicines which it prepares on site for various skin conditions. The pharmacy uses pharmacist independent prescribers (PIP) to prescribe these preparations. The prescribing service is not registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This was a reinspection of
the pharmacy, as it was last inspected in September 2023 and at that time was
not meeting all the Standards. The pharmacy subsequently addressed this by way
of an improvement action plan.
Inspection summary findings
Principle 1. Governance
The pharmacy identifies and manages the risks associated with its services. It has written procedures that the pharmacy team follows, and it protects people’s private information correctly. The pharmacy audits and reviews its prescribing service to make sure its processes are safe and effective. And team members are provided with training about how they can help to protect the welfare of vulnerable people. But the pharmacy could do more to make sure that people using its services are who they say they are. And that they clearly understand that the preparations they are receiving are unlicensed medicines.
Principle 2. Staff
The pharmacy has enough staff to manage its workload. Team members have opportunities to discuss issues and they communicate well. They are encouraged to keep their skills up to date and are supported in their development. And they get protected training time at work.
Principle 3. Premises
The pharmacy is clean, well-organised, and provides a safe and appropriate environment for people to access its services. The pharmacy’s website provides the relevant information to people. But the pharmacy could do more to ensure that information on its website about its prescribers and unlicensed preparations is clearer so people using the service are better able to make an informed decision about their care. And the pharmacy needs to
comply with any guidance or advice provided by any other healthcare regulators.
Principle 4. Services, including medicines management
Overall, the pharmacy manages and delivers its services safely. The pharmacy obtains its medicines and raw materials from reputable sources. And it carries out checks to ensure medicines are prepared safely and suitable to supply.
Principle 5. Equipment and facilities
Members of the pharmacy team have access to the equipment and facilities they need for the services they provide. The team maintains and monitors the equipment it uses so that it is accurate and fit for purpose.
What do the inspection outcomes mean?
After an inspection each pharmacy receives one overall outcome. This will be either Standards met or Standards not all met
| The pharmacy has met all the standards for registered pharmacies | |
| The pharmacy has not met one or more of the standards for registered pharmacies |
What do the summary findings for each principle mean?
The standards for registered pharmacies are made up of five principles. The pharmacy will also receive one of four possible findings for each of these principles. These are:
| The pharmacy delivers an innovative service and benefits the whole community and performs well against the standards | |
| The pharmacy delivers positive outcomes for patients and performs well against most of the standards | |
| The pharmacy meets all the standards | |
| The pharmacy has not met one or more standards |