GPhC expect pharmacy owners to support tracing services

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has issued a statement on the COVID-19 tracing services in England, Scotland and Wales.

They have stated that they expect pharmacy owners to support the COVID-19 tracing services and that all pharmacy team members have a professional responsibility to self-isolate if contacted by a tracer.

The GPhC has asked pharmacy owners to review their business continuity plans and risk assessments after considering the implications of the new track and trace services.

Duncan Rudkin, Chief Executive of the GPhC commented:

“New services to trace people who have been in close contact with people who have tested positive for coronavirus, and to ask them to self-isolate, are being introduced across Great Britain.

“We know there are ongoing discussions in England, Scotland and Wales about the potential implications if all pharmacy staff in a team were asked by contact tracers to self-isolate for 14 days.

“We would encourage all pharmacy owners to review their business continuity plans and risk assessments after considering these implications and identify any further mitigating actions they could take to reduce the risk of whole pharmacy teams having to self-isolate.

“Pharmacy owners should also make sure their teams are familiar with relevant advice and guidance from governments and the NHS in each country and from the professional leadership bodies within pharmacy; the RPS has issued guidance which we support.

“We would expect pharmacy owners to support members of their teams to follow relevant guidance, including on reducing risks of transmission, and to comply with any directions from the testing and tracing services within their country.

“All members of the pharmacy team have a professional responsibility to self-isolate if asked to do so by the contact tracing team, so they can protect themselves, their colleagues and patients and the public.”