Pharmacy updates are coming into force on 7th January 2026 with regards to pharmacy supervision legislation and covering authorisations by a pharmacist who is absent or treated as absent – handing out checked and bagged prescriptions.
What’s changed?
A pharmacist can now authorise any competent member of the pharmacy team to make the final sale or supply of a ‘checked and bagged medicine’ (i.e. a prescription only (POM) or pharmacy (P) medicine that has been checked for clinical appropriateness and accuracy and dispensed by or under the supervision of a pharmacist and is ready for sale or supply) to patients or patient representatives in the pharmacist’s absence (e.g. if they are temporarily absent from the premises because they are on their lunch or rest break) – or where the pharmacist is treated as being absent (e.g. if they are unavailable or not in a position to intervene because they are providing clinical services in the consultation room and cannot be interrupted).
Key messages:
It is important to remember:
- Authorisation is optional
- Nothing in the order prevents intervention by another pharmacist if needed or if risks arise.
- RP, SP and authorising pharmacist roles are distinct, and they remain professionally accountable for their individual roles.
- Prioritise patient safety.
- SOPs should outline authorisation.
Checklist of considerations:
- Risk Assessments – identify and manage potential risks.
- SOPs – SOPs should be accessible to the pharmacy team and regularly reviewed.
- Authorisation – the pharmacist is responsible for deciding if authorisation is appropriate.
- Pharmacist escalation or intervention – certain high-risk medicines and scenarios may require pharmacist intervention or escalation before being handed out.
- Training – any member of the pharmacy team authorised to hand out checked and bagged medicines must have the appropriate training, competence and confidence.
- Audit – regularly monitor, evaluate and improve the process and share learning in practice.
- Communicate necessary information with pharmacy teams, patients and their representatives.
- Roles and responsibilities – everyone in the pharmacy team needs to know their roles and responsibilities.
It is important to review and update your SOPs for handing out medicines and authorising others to make the final supply of checked and bagged medicines. Ensure you have covered medicines that may require pharmacist escalation or intervention and also scenarios that may require pharmacist escalation or intervention within your SOP updates.
The full pharmacy guide can be found here: https://www.rpharms.com/resources/pharmacy-guides/authorisation-checked-bagged
If there is anything that Pharmacy Consulting Limited can be assistance of with regards to updating your SOPs and processes with these new guidelines, then please contact us.