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Today sees the official opening of the new, independent regulator for the pharmacy professions, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
The creation of the GPhC as an independent regulator, separate from the leadership bodies of the profession and independent of government brings the regulation of the pharmacy professions into line with other regulated health professionals. These changes, which see the GPhC take over responsibility for regulation the pharmacy professions and pharmacy premises from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain received cross-party parliamentary support.
Speaking at the launch, Chair of the GPhC Council, Bob Nicholls CBE said, “The role Parliament has entrusted us, as an independent regulatory body, is to protect, promote and maintain the health, safety and wellbeing of patients and the public who use pharmaceutical services. Our vision is the provision ofproportionate, risk based, efficient and fair regulation of the pharmacy professions and pharmacy premises.”
Duncan Rudkin, Chief Executive and Registrar added, “As a new body, our first priority is to demonstrate to patients and the public as well as the pharmacy professions that we are delivering effective regulation. This will mean delivering efficient and effective services, being open and transparent, as well as demonstrating that we are genuinely focussed on upholding standards, supporting good practice and only taking action where a registrant’s fitness to practise is in doubt.
“There is a real opportunity for the General Pharmaceutical Council to support the development of the pharmacy professions in England, Scotland and Wales as their roles change with a requirement for enhanced clinical skills.
“Over recent weeks, we have aimed to provide as much information as possible to pharmacy professionals so that they are prepared for the launch of the GPhC and we will continue to do so as we enter a new era in pharmacy regulation.”
General Pharmaceutical Council
