Glossary

An explanation of some of the specialist words and legal phrases that you will find in this section.

Admonish

To reprimand firmly

Allegation

The charge or charges faced by the pharmacist or pharmacy owner because of the complaint

Censure

To criticise strongly

Conditions

The PSI Council can impose a sanction where conditions are attached to a pharmacist’s registration, including restrictions on how they can practise as a pharmacist

Evidence

What a witness says at the inquiry and the documents, including photographs and videos, that are brought before an inquiry

Expert Pharmacist/Witness

An independent pharmacist or other person who may be called by either side of a complaint at an inquiry

Health Committee

The Committee of Inquiry which deals with complaints about the impairment of a pharmacist’s ability to practise because of a physical or mental ailment, emotional disturbance or addiction to alcohol or drugs

Indictable Offence

An indictable offence is a non-minor offence that may be tried by a jury in court

Inquiry

A hearing similar to a hearing before a court or tribunal

Legal Assessor

A barrister or solicitor who advises the Committees of Inquiry

Poor Professional Performance

Any failure to meet the standards of competence that would be reasonably expected of a registered pharmacist. Any such failure must be serious

Preliminary Proceedings Committee

The committee that considers or screens all complaints received by the PSI and advises the Council on the action to take

Professional Conduct Committee

The Committee of Inquiry which deals with complaints about professional misconduct or poor professional performance

Professional Misconduct

Behaviour that goes against the Code of Conduct for registered pharmacists or that involves fraud, dishonesty or other unacceptable behaviour. (Professional misconduct is defined in full in the Pharmacy Act 2007. The full definition is in Complaints, Inquiries and Discipline on page 29 of the Act.)

Registrar

The Registrar, sometimes called the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) presents the evidence in support of the complaint

Sanction

The type of penalty that may be imposed on a pharmacist or pharmacy

Stenographer

A person who records everything in shorthand type during an inquiry