A medication safety pharmacist is a pharmacy practitioner who is dedicated to promoting and ensuring safe medication practice.

Roles and responibilities of a medication safety pharmacist

The role of medication safety pharmacist practitioners can vary day to day but can include:

• Conducting medication safety audits and risk assessments
• Analysing medication error reports and trends
• Developing and implementing medication safety protocols
• Providing education on safe medication practices to healthcare staff
• Reviewing and optimising medication-use systems
• Collaborating with healthcare professionals to prevent adverse drug events
• Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of medication safety initiatives
• Staying updated on medication safety guidelines and regulations
• Participating in medication safety committees and quality improvement teams
• Participating in research studies related to medication safety
• Developing policies for high-alert medications

An MSO is the designated individual within an organisation responsible for promoting the reporting and learning of medication-related incidents. The National Patient Safety Alert, Improving Medication Error Incident Reporting and Learning, advises that all organisations should appoint an MSO.

In addition to fostering a culture of incident reporting, the MSO provides specialist expertise in medication safety and serves as a key point of contact for coordinating efforts to manage medication risks and implement mitigation strategies. They also play a leadership role in advancing the organisation’s medication safety agenda.

Due to the impact of MSOs in improving medication safety, some organisations have expanded their teams to include junior pharmacy staff, pharmacy technicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Teams that include clinical link staff or medicine champions are particularly effective in fostering a strong culture of medication safety.

The responsibility for ensuring the safe use of medicines within an organisation is often shared across multiple roles. Medication safety is a collaborative effort requiring input from various healthcare professionals to minimise risks and harm associated with medicines.

Key MSO responsibilities typically include:

• Actively participating in national and local/regional medication safety groups, including the national Medication Safety Officer network.
• Serving as the organisation’s primary contact for the MHRA and NHS England, ensuring important medication safety communications are received and acted upon.
• Implementing local initiatives to enhance medication safety in alignment with national patient safety priorities and alerts.
• Overseeing medication incident reporting within the organisation, with a focus on improving both reporting practices and learning from incidents.
• Contributing as an active member of the organisation’s medication safety committee or equivalent.

The specific duties of an MSO may vary depending on the organisation's needs and the individual’s expertise. Additional responsibilities are often linked to advancing the organisation’s medication safety agenda and ensuring alignment with national patient safety strategies.

To become a medication safety pharmacist, you’ll need certain integral skills, such as strong communication skills, the capability to collaborate effectively within a team, and meticulous attention to detail.

You will also need to qualify as a pharmacist, which involves the following:

• Four years of full-time study (in England and Wales - five years in Scotland) to gain a Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree
• One year practising full time as a trainee pharmacist 
• General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration, which requires each pharmacist to pass an assessment

Once you’re registered with the GPhC, you’ll be able to start seeking opportunities to specialise in medication safety pharmacy, but you’re welcome to join our medication safety pharmacy community at any point throughout your education to meet likeminded pharmacists and learn from experts in the field.

To become a medication safety pharmacist, you’ll need certain integral skills, such as strong communication skills, the capability to collaborate effectively within a team, and meticulous attention to detail.

You will also need to qualify as a pharmacist, which involves the following:

• Four years of full-time study (in England and Wales - five years in Scotland) to gain a Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree
• One year practising full time as a trainee pharmacist 
• General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration, which requires each pharmacist to pass an assessment

Once you’re registered with the GPhC, you’ll be able to start seeking opportunities to specialise in medication safety pharmacy, but you’re welcome to join our medication safety pharmacy community at any point throughout your education to meet likeminded pharmacists and learn from experts in the field.