G. Lowe Pharma Limited (1035199)

Inspection summary findings

Principle 1. Governance

Overall, the pharmacy’s working practices are safe and effective. It has written procedures in place for the team members to follow but it has not reviewed them recently. So this may mean they no longer reflect current best practice and manage the risks associated with providing its services. The pharmacy keeps the records required by law showing it supplies its medicines and services safely. Members of the pharmacy team protect people’s private information, and they know how to safeguard the welfare of vulnerable people.

Principle 2. Staff

The pharmacy team works well together to manage the workload and to deliver services safely. The pharmacy generally ensures its team members are suitably qualified for their roles. But their training does not always cover everything they do. The pharmacy team can provide feedback to improve the pharmacy's services.

Principle 3. Premises

The pharmacy’s premises are secure, clean and suitable for the provision of its services. The pharmacy prevents people accessing the premises when it is closed to keep its medicines stock and people’s information safe.

Principle 4. Services, including medicines management

The pharmacy tries to make sure its services are accessible to people with different needs. The pharmacy team members give advice to people about where they can get other support. The pharmacy gets its medicines from reputable sources and manages them so they are safe to use. And it mostly makes sure that people have the information they need to use their medicines safely. Pharmacy team members respond to recalls and alerts for medicines or devices to be returned to the suppliers, but they do not always keep a record to show they have taken the right action.

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.