The Professional Services Area Introduction Pharmacy standards define the requirement for a professional services area that is distinct from the rest of the pharmacy, to ensure that a pharmacist is always available to discuss self-selection of medications with patients. Patients should have the impression that pharmacists must be involved in the selection of drugs. To this end, drugs must be located near the dispensary, with sundries located further away.
Provincial legislation varies on the actual distance requirements from the dispensary.
Pharmacists can meet this standard through several mechanisms described in this unit. Reviewers emphasized that attitudes are at least as important, if not more important, than the physical delineation of a professional services area. All dispensary personnel must display a professional attitude and look for opportunities to assist patients. The pharmacist manages drug distribution by performing, supervising or reviewing the functions of selection, preparation, distribution and storage of drugs to ensure the safety, accuracy and quality of supplied products. Sample floor plans are included in this concise two-page document prepared March 1986.