What the law requires
In Great Britain, the Pharmacy Order 2010 requires a practising pharmacist to have an indemnity arrangement that provides appropriate cover. It can be insurance, an indemnity arrangement, or both.
Practising without it can lead to removal from the register or a referral for misconduct. In Northern Ireland, the Pharmacy (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 sets the same duty, and you declare your cover when you register and renew with the PSNI.
When an employer's cover counts
The GPhC accepts cover provided through an employer, but only for the duties of that job. Check exactly what it covers before you rely on it.
If you work as a self-employed locum, you need your own cover. Tell the GPhC within seven days if your cover stops. In Northern Ireland, an employer's arrangement counts only if it covers your full scope of practice.
Check the cover against each booking
Read the policy against the services you will provide, such as prescribing, Pharmacy First consultations, vaccinations or remote work. Ask the insurer before accepting work outside what the policy describes.
The GPhC does not set a minimum level of cover. Insurers and professional bodies offer policies for locums, so compare the cover, limits and exclusions as well as the price.
Keep your records together
Keep your policy schedule and renewal date with your registration documents, and share proof of cover when a hirer asks. For self-employed locums, indemnity premiums are an allowable business expense.
Common questions
Do locum pharmacists need their own insurance?
If you are self-employed, yes: you need your own indemnity arrangement. If a hirer employs you, its cover may count for that job's duties, but check what it includes first.
How much indemnity cover does a locum pharmacist need?
The GPhC does not set an amount; it requires cover that is appropriate to your practice. Base the level on the services you provide and your insurer's guidance.
Is indemnity insurance tax deductible for locums?
For self-employed locums, professional indemnity insurance premiums are an allowable business expense.
Sources and further reading
Check the current official documents for the country and service where you will work.
These guides cover general booking and preparation questions. Read our editorial policy. If a detail needs updating, send us a correction.