Pharmacy context
This is a distance selling pharmacy in Glasgow. The pharmacy premises are closed to the public, and people access the pharmacy’s services through its website, www.simpleonlinepharmacy.co.uk or by telephone. Its main activity is dispensing for its private Online Doctor service which prescribes treatment for a wide range of conditions. These include weight loss, erectile dysfunction, hair loss and skin conditions. The pharmacy sells some over-the-counter medicines via its website. It also dispenses NHS prescriptions as a pharmacy hub for the company's two community pharmacies. And it dispenses some medicines in compliance packs to help people take their medicines properly. Enforcement action has been taken against this pharmacy, which remains in force at the time of this inspection, and there are restrictions on the provision of some services. The enforcement action taken allows the pharmacy to continue providing other services, which are not affected by the restrictions imposed.
Inspection summary findings
Principle 1. Governance
The pharmacy suitably manages the risks with its services, including for the online prescribing service. It has documented procedures for team members and prescribers to follow to help make sure people receive medicines suitable for them to take. And it completes reviews of the effectiveness of these procedures to help keep its services safe. The pharmacy keeps the records required by law and team members keep people's private information secure. It has adequate processes to help team members protect vulnerable adults and children.
Principle 2. Staff
Pharmacy team members have the necessary qualifications and skills for their roles and the services they provide. And the pharmacy is good at supporting its team members ongoing learning and development needs. The pharmacy reviews its staffing levels in line with changing workload. And it has reliable plans to cover team members absence. Team members have the opportunity to provide regular feedback. And they are proactive and suggest improvements to keep pharmacy services safe and effective.
Principle 3. Premises
The pharmacy premises are large and are suitable for the services provided. They are clean, hygienic, and secure. The pharmacy's website looks professional and provides ease of access for people to use.
Principle 4. Services, including medicines management
The pharmacy has sufficient safeguards in place to help ensure people receive medicines that are suitable for them to take. And it uses automation to help manage the delivery of its services effectively. The pharmacy manages its medicines appropriately and stores them properly. Team members carry out checks to make sure medicines are in good condition and suitable to supply. The pharmacy makes its services accessible to people through its website. And it makes changes when it identifies some people experience delays to accessing services and receiving their medicines.
Principle 5. Equipment and facilities
The pharmacy has a range of equipment available to help provide its services effectively. And its team members know how to clean and maintain it.
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 |