Common use of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP Clause in Contracts

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP. The Community Pharmacy Contractor must have appropriate and up to date Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support the delivery of the service. These must always be available in the Community Pharmacy and all Pharmacy Team members delivering elements of the service must be familiar with their contents. SOPs must also be made available to the Commissioner or appointed agent upon request. The Community Pharmacy contractor has a duty to ensure that Pharmacists and staff involved in the provision of the service are aware of and operate within the Standard Operating Procedures. Service provision must be under the direction of a Pharmacist. If the Pharmacist is to delegate aspects of service provision to other members of staff the SOP must make reference to their role and responsibilities, highlighting steps in the procedure where referral to the Pharmacist is necessary. Community Pharmacy contractors will review their Standard Operating Procedures for the service when there are any major changes in the law affecting the service or in the event of any incidents. In the absence of any of these events they will be reviewed every two years.