Clause 24 - Requirements about supervision
Health Bill
3:00 pm
Jane Kennedy (Minister of State, Department of Health; Liverpool, Wavertree, Labour)
The amendment will clarify the pharmacist’s obligation and will make provision for the appropriate use of new technologies that enable pharmacists to supervise dispensing activity safely when away from pharmacy premises. The hon. Gentleman is right that we must consider what those technologies are. We intend to set out in regulations where the pharmacist is required to be personally involved in the preparation, sale and supply of medicines, or the supervision of those activities, and the conditions for use of new technologies.
For example, the conditions might include the use of technologies such as robotics or a video link, which can help the pharmacist meet their supervision obligations from another location. That is what we mean by remote supervision. With the aid of appropriate technologies, the pharmacist may continue to meet his or her responsibilities, through the ability to remain in contact, to provide professional advice to staff and patients.
In most circumstances, use of a telephone alone would be insufficient to meet the pharmacist’s supervision requirements. It would not allow the pharmacist to check the prescription being dispensed, and he would be reliant on information from pharmacy staff. Effectively, we are tightening the provisions.
However, there are technologies that allow the pharmacist to see a prescription electronically. Also, video links can support face-to-face contact with both staff and patients. We want new technologies to be used in a way that maintains patient safety. We intend to consult key stakeholders on the regulations, including conditions that could support remote supervision through the use of new technologies. That way, the regulations will reflect the rapid pace of change in this area. I hope that that brief comment reassures the hon. Gentleman. I appreciate the spirit in which he raised his concerns.