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Fitness to practise colleague — GPhC CRA MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardPharmacy Law and EthicsFitness to practise colleagueGPhC CRA

A pharmacist starting an evening shift smells alcohol on the responsible pharmacist, notices slurred speech and sees them misread two strengths while clinically checking prescriptions. The responsible pharmacist insists they are merely tired. What is the best immediate action?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — Remove the colleague from clinical work and activate the pharmacy escalation procedure

Explanation lettering: D = shown as A · E = shown as B · B = shown as C · C = shown as D · A = shown as E

A is wrong because clinical checking remains safety-critical work and cannot be left with an impaired pharmacist. B is correct: the observed impairment and checking errors create an immediate patient-safety risk, so safety-critical activity must stop, affected work must be secured or rechecked, and the matter escalated through the appropriate accountable route while maintaining lawful pharmacy operation. C is wrong because completing the queue before acting leaves patients exposed. D is wrong because a dispenser cannot substitute for a pharmacist’s clinical judgement. E records the concern but fails to control the immediate risk.

Reference: GPhC: standards for pharmacy professionals. https://assets.pharmacyregulation.org/files/standards_for_pharmacy_professionals_may_2017_0.pdf GPhC: in-practice guidance on raising concerns. https://assets.pharmacyregulation.org/files/2024-01/in-practice-guidance-on-raising-concerns-november-2020.pdf The Medicines (Pharmacies) (Responsible Pharmacist) Regulations 2008. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/2789/contents