Overview of the Structure of the Act Part 3
12.Part 3 of the Act has two chapters:
13.Chapter 1 responds to recommendations in the Fourth Report of the Shipman Inquiry(2). It would enable a duty to be imposed on specified organisations in the health sector to appoint an accountable officer to ensure the safe use of controlled drugs within the organisation’s sphere of responsibility. It also enables a duty to be imposed on specified organisations concerned with controlled drugs issues in the health sector to share information about controlled drug use by health and social care professionals and to agree joint action as needed. The provisions also create a right of entry and inspection into premises used in connection with the provision of health care or the supply or administration of controlled drugs.
14.This part of the Act extends to the whole of the United Kingdom.
15.Chapter 2 provides for the amendment of provisions of the Medicines Act 1968, and the Health Act 1999, relating to pharmacies, pharmacists and the sale and supply of medicines. In particular, it includes changes to the requirement in the Medicines Act 1968 for a pharmacist to be in personal control of the retail sale and supply of medicines at each retail pharmacy, and changes to the provisions of the Medicines Act relating to supervision by pharmacists of the preparation, dispensing, sale and supply of medicines. This part of the Health Act extends to the whole of the United Kingdom.