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Responsible pharmacist absence — GPhC CRA MCQ

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HardPharmacy Law and EthicsResponsible pharmacist absenceGPhC CRA

A responsible pharmacist has already been absent for 75 minutes during today’s pharmacy business hours and proposes another 50-minute absence. What is the legal position?

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Correct answer: A — Decline the second absence because today’s total would exceed two hours

Decline the second absence because today’s total would exceed two hours: Permitted absences total no more than two hours during the pharmacy’s business hours on that day; 75 + 50 = 125 minutes. Permit the second absence because each separate period is under two hours: The statutory limit applies to the total absence, not each episode separately. Permit the second absence after a dispenser countersigns the absence record: A non-pharmacist cannot extend the statutory maximum. Permit the second absence while the responsible pharmacist remains contactable: Contactability is necessary but does not override the two-hour cap. Reset the daily total after the pharmacist returns and signs in: Returning does not reset the cumulative daily allowance.

Reference: Medicines (Pharmacies) (Responsible Pharmacist) Regulations 2008: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/2789/contents