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