Complaints against pharmacists drop last year

Most complaints against pharmacists last year were made by patients and related to dispensing errors, behaviour and professionalism issues.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland’s (PSI) annual report for 2015 shows a significant drop in complaints made to it. A total of 27 formal complaints were received, down from 51 in 2014.

Of the nine relating to dispensing errors, eight related to dosage. Three related to medication of minors. Others related to generic medicine substitution and alleged dishonesty.

The Preliminary Proceedings Committee, which considers all complaints made to the PSI, the regulatory body for pharmacies, referred 12 complaints forward for further action by way of inquiry. Ten inquiries were heard by the PPC last year and one by the Health Committee.

Sanctions imposed by the council, following inquiry, included four admonishments or censures, two conditions attached to pharmacists’ registration and one cancellation of a pharmacist’s registration.

A total of 329 new pharmacists were added to the Register of Pharmacists in 2015, compared to 307 in 2014 which brings the number of registered pharmacists to 5,645.