The Pharmacists’ Defence Association has taken umbrage over a recent ‘letter of thanks’ sent to pharmacists in England jointly from the chief pharmaceutical officer, David Webb, and the General Pharmaceutical Council.

The letter acknowledges that “everyone working in pharmacy continues to experience high and sustained demands and pressures”. It urges pharmacists to “use professional judgement to assess and mitigate risk, and to deliver safe and effective care”.

It goes on to say: “We want to reassure you that in the unlikely event that you are referred to the regulator, they will consider the context you were working in at the time, including factors relating to the environment in which you were working.”

The PDA says workforce pressure is an issue it consistently raises. It believes that “it is not enough for those in positions of authority to just highlight workforce pressures and say the regulator will be understanding when considering complaints. This approach could lead to normalisation of unsafe practices and continues to endanger the individual’s wellbeing”.

The Association adds that, in the experience of its members, it is often non-registrant managers that place undue pressure on pharmacists to work in unsafe conditions or with inadequate resources. It points out that such individuals are outside the reach of healthcare regulation.