Earlier this year the PSI published guidance to support compliance and provide clarity on pharmacy governance roles. This guidance is relevant to those holding governance roles and to all pharmacists working in pharmacy and can be used for a variety of purposes. As changes in service provision come into effect, like pharmacists’ ability to extend prescriptions from 1 September, those in pharmacy governance roles can look to the guidance in fulfilling their leadership responsibilities as they ensure requisite understanding, support, and structures are in place for the benefit of patients and the pharmacy team.
The PSI Workforce Intelligence Report (published in September 2023), provided a baseline view of the pharmacy workforce in Ireland, together with recommendations to ensure the sustainability of the future pharmacy workforce. Based on available information and feedback, one of the short-term recommendations proposed that the PSI should publish guidance to set out the distinct responsibilities associated with each of the pharmacy governance roles. It was felt that greater clarity and understanding of these roles would help contribute to their sustainability and attractiveness.
In March 2024, the PSI Council approved the Guidance on Pharmacy Governance Roles, to provide the clarity being sought and to enable those occupying a governance role to fully discharge their statutory responsibilities. It is also intended to support and assist pharmacists who are considering a pharmacy governance role as the next step in their career. In addition, the Guidance contains information on what is meant by ‘whole-time charge’ for supervising pharmacists.
Pharmacists are familiar with the provisions outlined in the 2007 Pharmacy Act that require people or entities to be appointed to hold specific governance roles for each pharmacy registered in Ireland, namely, the pharmacy owner, superintendent pharmacist, and supervising pharmacist. As pharmacies provide services that can carry significant risk, it is appropriate that these roles have been set out in law to ensure effective governance is in place to support high standards of patient care and protection. The regulations and rules made under the Pharmacy Act give further detail of the responsibilities associated with these roles.
In addition to these three roles, legislation also requires each pharmacy to have a registered pharmacist at the pharmacy to supervise the sale and supply of medicines during all hours of operation. As such, the PSI Guidance on Pharmacy Governance Roles sets out the responsibilities for all registered pharmacists, as all pharmacists working in a retail pharmacy business are considered to have responsibilities relating to the pharmacy’s governance.
Pharmacy governance involves those in each of the governance roles working together, and with all pharmacists practising at the pharmacy, to implement safe and compliant systems. This helps to ensure consistently delivered, safe, quality care for patients and the public.
The Guidance provides a principle-based outline of the governance responsibilities for each of the governance role-holders involved in a pharmacy’s operation. For each role, four overarching governance principles are used to provide clarity on the differing responsibilities:
Each principle is supported by concise, outcome focused indicators relevant to each role.
Whilst the four pillars of pharmacy governance are essential, how they are arranged can vary from one pharmacy to the next. This is influenced by factors such as the ownership structure, number of pharmacist(s) providing professional cover, support staff, staff skill mix, and the services provided at the pharmacy. Regardless of the specific arrangements in each pharmacy, the same key governance principles apply to every pharmacy.
Pharmacy governance is effective when all four pillars work together to ensure the patient is at the centre of all decisions. It is important to remember that the pharmacy owner, superintendent pharmacist, supervising pharmacist, and all pharmacists working at the pharmacy have specific and sometimes different responsibilities under each of the overarching principles of effective pharmacy governance.
Some responsibilities may be shared across several roles, as they apply at different levels depending on the nature of the role. Pharmacy owners will tend to have overall responsibility for ensuring the safe and compliant operation of the business; the superintendent pharmacist will be responsible at a management level; the supervising pharmacist will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the pharmacy; and all pharmacists working at the pharmacy will be responsible for adhering to legislation, guidance, procedures, and the Code of Conduct in their practice.
The PSI Guidance on Pharmacy Governance Roles can be used for a variety of purposes within a pharmacy. For example, as pharmacists currently adapt to offer prescription extension in their pharmacy, governance role holders can use the Guidance as they review policies, risks or other supports needed to safely implement this positive change for patients.
In general, the Guidance can be considered:
The Guidance is available in the Practice Supports section on the updated PSI website. All pharmacists and pharmacy owners are encouraged to review it and ensure a copy is available in the pharmacy. For additional information, the recording of a presentation about governance roles, shared during PSI regional roadshows in October 2023, is available on the PSI website, along with FAQs. Any queries about pharmacy governance roles can be sent by email to info@psi.ie.
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