Pharmacists ‘have a responsibility to address substance abuse’

Pharmacists remain responsible for refusing to supply products that they might reasonably consider are destined to be misused, one industry commentator has stated.

Sadia Khan, lead pharmacist for self care at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, has commented this week that reasonable grounds for suspicion should prompt pharmacists to withhold any product.

She was speaking as the society published an updated Substances of Misuse list.

This includes general sale list medicines, pharmacy medicines and prescription-only drugs that might be misused – including in the manufacture of fireworks and explosives.

“Almost any substance can be misused and the guidance is not meant to be exhaustive; however this list is a useful reference to help pharmacists identify areas they may need to be aware of,” Ms Khan stated.

The news follows a call from the society to increase the government’s momentum in delivering the patient benefits suggested in a recent white paper on pharmacy activities.