The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has replaced
the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain as
the regulator for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy
premises.
The GPCH is responsible for protecting, promotion and
maintenance of the health, safety and wellbeing of the public and
patients who use pharmaceutical services in the United Kingdom.
The pharmacy profession has an excellent track record of
delivering safe services and care, and is highly valued by the
public. It has also been regulated well and effectively by
the RPSGB.
The new arrangements will ensure that the pharmacy profession is
regulated according to the same principles as other healthcare
professions. These principles have been developed to improve public
confidence in regulation in general.
In addition, as pharmacists and pharmacy technicians take on
wider roles in a range of settings in health, science, academia and
industry, the changes to regulation will help to ensure that the
profession is well placed to meet the challenges of the future.
All pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy
owners/employers need to be aware of forthcoming changes to
pharmacy regulation that will affect areas such as registration,
continuing professional development, standards, fees and
premises.
Pharmacists
The GPhC is introducing new standards for the pharmacy
profession, along with statutory continuing professional
development (CPD) for all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
This will bring an increased focus on safety and on improving the
quality of pharmacy practice and services.
At the same time, the GPhC will be responsive to developments
and innovations in science, technology and health policy, as well
as in pharmacy services and practice. The powers described in the
draft Pharmacy Order 2009, which sets out the GPhC's role and
functions, were made deliberately broad and flexible so that the
GPhC can respond to future developments without the need for new or
amended legislation.
Registration
The GPhC holds a single register for all pharmacists, pharmacy
technicians and pharmacy premises. This has replace the registers
currently held by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
(RPSGB). Only those professionals on the register will be able
to use the protected title of 'pharmacist'. This will ensure that
the status of the profession is protected; it will also boost
public confidence in pharmacy professionals and provide greater
clarity regarding their status.
Those pharmacists who fall within the draft Pharmacy Order
2009's definition of 'practising' (see below) are required to
register if they wish to describe themselves as a pharmacist or
practise as a pharmacist, regardless of whether or not they are in
a clinical or patient-facing role. Roles that will have a
significant potential impact on public safety, such as, for
example, signing off patient group directions, will be
regulated.
The Order does not explicitly cover the use of abbreviations and
post-nominals and these are issues for consideration by the GPhC.
Use of the designatory letters MRPharmS or FRPharmS will be covered
by the new professional leadership body.
A new definition of 'practising'
The definition of practising set out in the draft Pharmacy Order
2009 reflects this broad interpretation of pharmacy practice:
'…if whilst acting in the capacity of or purporting to be a
pharmacist or a pharmacy technician, that person does any work or
gives any advice in relation to the preparation, assembly,
dispensing, sale, supply or use of medicines, the science of
medicines, the practice of pharmacy or the provision of
healthcare'.
Statutory continuing professional development
All pharmacists should be equipped to deliver the
highest-quality practice and services throughout their working
lives. From spring 2010 (parliamentary time permitting), when the
new GPhC opens, there will be a statutory requirement for all
pharmacists on the GPhC's register to undertake continuing
professional development (CPD).
The introduction of statutory CPD will support and further the
career progression of individual pharmacists and pharmacy
technicians, by requiring them to continually develop the skills
and expertise relevant to their individual roles. It will also
provide a valuable quality assurance check for pharmacy owners,
patients and the public, and employers.
All pharmacists should continue to develop their current CPD
portfolios so that they are prepared for the introduction of
statutory CPD. The Chief Pharmaceutical Officers of Great Britain
have made a commitment that existing CPD records can be used in the
assessment process from 2010 onwards. The GPhC is working closely
with the RPSGB and other stakeholders to create a new framework for
CPD, building on the current system and standards to ensure a
smooth transition.
Standards
The GPhC will set standards with the aim of ensuring safe and
effective practice. The Council will work closely with professional
bodies to set standards for:
- education and training
- proficiency
- CPD
- pharmacy owners, superintendent pharmacists and premises
- conduct, ethics and performance.
Fees
The GPhC has the power to set fees for the registration of
individuals and pharmacy premises.
Individual registration fees for 2010 have been set by the RPSGB
and will be collected by them as usual in November 2009. Regulatory
money will then be transferred to the GPhC when it opens. For 2011,
the GPhC will be responsible for setting regulatory fees. The GPhC
will have the flexibility to set lower fees; for example for
part-time or newly qualified pharmacists or those on low
incomes.
The RPSGB has announced a fee increase of 2.2% for 2010. Fees
have been set within the Retail Prices Index (RPI) and Consumer
Price Index (CPI) measures of inflation.
Fees for premises for 2010 will be set as usual by the
Department of Health in late 2009, but for 2011 the GPhC will be
responsible for setting premises fees. For premises, fees may also
vary based on risk: for example, pharmacy premises could be charged
more if they need more frequent visits because they are failing to
meet the prescribed standards.
The scope of the new arrangements
These arrangements will apply to all pharmacists, including:
They will also apply to pharmacy technicians and pharmacy
owners/employers.
The devolved administrations
The new system of regulation will apply to pharmacists, pharmacy
technicians and premises in England, Scotland and Wales. The system
will be sufficiently flexible to respond to the different policy
contexts for pharmacy in each of the three countries.
Contact us
on 020 784 32410
Email: info@resourcing.uk.com