Infection Prevention and Control
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) is a fundamental part of safe and effective pharmacy practice. Community pharmacies play a vital role in protecting patients, staff, and visitors from the spread of infection through the consistent application of evidence-based infection prevention measures. This includes maintaining high standards of hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, safe handling of medicines and equipment, and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE). By embedding IPC principles into everyday practice, pharmacies can reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections, support public health initiatives, and provide a safe environment for the delivery of pharmaceutical services.
To maintain a safe and hygienic environment, pharmacy teams should implement a range of IPC best practices, including:
- Regular hand hygiene in line with national guidance.
- Routine cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces such as counters, payment terminals, door handles, and waiting areas.
- Cleaning and disinfection of consultation rooms between patient-facing services where appropriate, including chairs, work surfaces, clinical equipment, and any reusable devices used during consultations.
- Safe management and disposal of clinical and non-clinical waste.
- Availability and appropriate use of PPE when required for specific services.
- Effective respiratory hygiene measures, including access to tissues and hand sanitiser.
- Staff training and regular updates on IPC policies, procedures, and emerging risks.
- Prompt identification and management of infection risks within the pharmacy environment.
- Maintenance of cleaning schedules, records, and audits to demonstrate compliance and support continuous improvement.
By following these measures, pharmacies can ensure that services such as vaccinations, blood pressure checks, contraception consultations, and other clinical interventions are delivered in a clean, safe, and professional setting that promotes patient confidence and wellbeing.
NHS England – National infection prevention and control – Central NHS England resource with the National IPC Manual, guidance, tools, training links, and updates.
Overview | Healthcare-associated infections: prevention and control in primary and community care | Guidance | NICE – Covers standard infection control precautions, hand hygiene, PPE, waste management, environmental cleaning, and transmission-based precautions
10-Top-Tips-for-IPC-FINAL-December-2025.pdf – NHS Midlands document, covering practical guidance on hand hygiene, PPE, cleaning, waste disposal, staff training, and clinical equipment hygiene.
IPC top tips for Pharmacy – ICB guide to IPC for pharmacy teams in Norfolk and Suffolk
IPC presentation N&SICB – This presentation was given at the July CPNS Committee meeting by Emma Mills, Head of Infection Prevention and Control at Norfolk & Suffolk ICB. It includes some top tips for pharmacies, contact details of the IPC team within the ICB, and some useful links.
