Vcare COE Role & Responsibilities of Pharmacist
Pharmacists in aesthetic practice bridge the gap between clinical safety, medication management, and patient care. They support the safe use of prescription-only medicines (POMs) such as botulinum toxin, dermal fillers (where regulated), and adjunctive drugs, while also promoting evidence-based practice and compliance with legal standards.
Key Responsibilities
1. Medicines Management
Prescribe or dispense POMs used in aesthetics (e.g., botulinum toxin, lidocaine, hyaluronidase). Maintain correct storage, handling, and inventory of medicines (cold chain management, expiry monitoring). Ensure compliance with controlled drug regulations where relevant. Source products from licensed suppliers only, preventing counterfeit/cross-border issues.
2. Patient Safety & Clinical Governance
Conduct patient assessments and review medical history to identify contraindications, allergies, or interactions. Provide advice on safe treatment protocols and dosage. Manage adverse reactions and complications (e.g., vascular occlusion, anaphylaxis, infection control). Implement and audit clinical protocols, risk assessments, and incident reporting.
3. Education & Training
Train clinic staff on medicine safety, injection protocols, and emergency procedures. Stay updated with aesthetic medicine research, legislation, and best practices. Provide patient education on skincare, treatment safety, and lifestyle advice.
4. Emergency Preparedness
Maintain and monitor emergency drugs (e.g., adrenaline, hyaluronidase, oxygen). Lead response to medical emergencies within the clinic. Ensure all staff are competent in basic life support and anaphylaxis management.
5. Regulatory & Ethical Compliance
Adhere to GPhC (or relevant regulatory body) standards, local legislation, and clinic protocols.
Maintain accurate patient and medicine records (General Data Protection Regulation-compliant).