EXCLUSIVE

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) will consider issuing guidance on pharmacists' new responsibility towards survivors of female genital mutilation (FGM), C+D has learned.

The Department of Health published its own guidance last month (October 30) to coincide with a new duty requiring healthcare professionals – including pharmacists – to alert police if they treat a girl under the age of 18 years who has suffered genital mutilation.

The document is aimed at all healthcare professionals, and RPS president Ash Soni said the society will "consider if specific guidance [for] pharmacy would be useful".

“The RPS supports our members to be fully aware of their responsibilities towards girls who come into their care that have had FGM,” he told C+D last week (November 3).

Mr Soni said the RPS will also signpost its members to the DH's resources, which include a flow chart showing how healthcare professionals can identify cases of FGM and a leaflet to offer patients.

Announcing the resources last month, public health minister Jane Ellison said health professionals are “at the forefront of the fight to end FGM”.

“The tools we are providing will empower NHS staff and support them in strengthening their safeguarding response for girls who are at risk, and better protect those living with FGM,” Ms Ellison added.

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