Icelandic Medicines Agency
pharmacy staffing
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The Icelandic Medicines Agency (IMA) supervises compliance with the statutory minimum staffing of pharmacies under the provisions of the Medicinal Products Act.
IMA may grant a temporary exemption from the staffing requirements where the scale of operations is small and/or there is a risk that operations in the area would otherwise cease.
IMA may also grant a pharmacy student who has completed the fourth year of pharmacy studies and a two-month placement in a pharmacy a temporary licence to perform limited pharmacist duties.
Number of pharmacists in a pharmacy
As a general rule, no fewer than two pharmacists shall be working in a pharmacy during normal opening hours, dispensing prescriptions and providing information and advice on the correct use and handling of medicines. This also applies to peak periods outside normal opening hours.
Upon application, the Icelandic Medicines Agency (IMA) may permit only one pharmacist to work in a pharmacy, provided that the scope of operations is small and that trained staff assist the pharmacist.
Upon application, IMA may also grant a temporary permit for only one pharmacist to work in a pharmacy, provided that there is a risk that the operation of a pharmacy in the area would otherwise cease.
Supervision of the staffing requirement
IMA supervises that the statutory minimum staffing of pharmacies complies with the provisions of the Medicinal Products Act. If no exemption from minimum staffing has been granted, or if an exemption has expired, the pharmacy shall be staffed by no fewer than two pharmacists during normal opening hours and during peak periods outside normal opening hours.
If information emerges indicating that the provisions of the Medicinal Products Act on minimum staffing of pharmacies are not being complied with, IMA may respond in accordance with its powers under Chapter 17 of the Medicinal Products Act on supervision and Chapter 19 of the same Act on coercive measures.
Applications for exemption from the staffing requirement
Applications for exemption from the staffing requirement are submitted using an electronic form on Ísland.is. Each application is assessed individually.
Costs
If IMA considers it necessary to carry out an inspection in order to assess an application, the applicant shall pay the cost of the inspection in accordance with Article 9(1) of the current tariff of fees. In such cases, the applicant will be informed of the scope of the work IMA considers necessary before the inspection takes place, cf. Article 9(2) of the same tariff.
IMA also charges a fee for issuing a licence in connection with regulated activities under the provisions of the Medicinal Products Act, cf. Article 8 of the tariff of fees. The fee for issuing each licence is ISK 15,700 according to the tariff of fees.
Pharmacies granted an exemption from the staffing requirement of the Medicinal Products Act
Pharmacy name | Validity of exemption |
|---|---|
Apótekarinn Kirkjusandi | Exemption valid until: 15 October 2027 |
Lyfjaval Suðurfelli | Exemption valid until: 11 April 2027 |
Lyfja Skeifunni | Exemption valid until: 11 April 2027 |
Siglufjarðar Apótek | Exemption valid until: 15 October 2027 |
Licence for pharmacy students to work in a pharmacy
Under Article 22(8) of Regulation No. 1340/2022 on pharmacy licences and pharmacies, IMA may grant a pharmacy student who has completed the fourth year of pharmacy studies and a two-month placement in a pharmacy a temporary licence to perform limited pharmacist duties, provided that this is done under the responsibility of a pharmacist at the pharmacy concerned.
Applications are submitted via IMA's My pages.
A pharmacy student may only perform limited pharmacist duties in the presence of the responsible pharmacist or their deputy, who must also be a pharmacist.
If IMA grants an applicant permission to perform limited pharmacist duties on a temporary basis, the applicant is given a licence number.