PHARMACY owners are being warned that they must maintain oversight of the operations of their stores, or risk facing regulatory action for incidents related to employees.
Speaking at Pharmacy Connect earlier this month, Pharmacy Council of NSW Professional Officer, Georgina Woods, told delegates that the regulator saw cases involving proprietors who were "not quite aware of what's happening in their pharmacy".
"We must be able to see that you can demonstrate oversight," she said.
"It's really important for owners, because everyone that's working for you, all of their activities you are ultimately responsible for.
"You are responsible for everyone, employed pharmacists, graduates, locums.
"I had this story when I was at Pharmaceutical Defence Limited, and I had this poor proprietor ring up - he said there had been an incident.
"His delivery driver went round to someone's house and there was a dangerous dog, it was barking.
"The delivery driver stressed out and he literally pitched the bag of drugs over the fence and the dog ate the whole bag of drugs.
"It was not clever - I asked what was in the bag, and of course it was a ridiculous combination, aripiprazole and benzos, it was awful.
"The dog survived, which was fantastic... but [there were] very upset owners and a very large veterinary bill.
"The delivery driver made a very poor decision, but that proprietor was responsible for that decision.
"It's a good example - you might not even be there [when an incident occurs] but it's going to come back on you."
Woods added that there can be no "silent partners" in pharmacy ownership, stressing that owners - regardless of the size of their stake in a store - need to have oversight over the business.
"I know there are people who aren't active in the business, but... if you have a vested interest in a pharmacy then you must be able to prove that you've got oversight," she said.
"Know what your business partners are up to, know what your employees are up to."
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