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Changes to pharmacy regulation

Overview of the forthcoming changes to pharmacy regulation

This section outlines the changes that are taking place in the regulation of pharmacy. 

It is important that all pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy owners/employers are aware of the forthcoming changes, which will affect many areas. These changes include:

• the introduction of statutory continuing professional development
• the introduction of statutory standards for premises
• statutory registration for pharmacy technicians by 2011
• new standards for proficiency
• an independent regulator with public protection as its main objective.

Why do we need a new regulator?

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 are needed to 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. They state that:

• the overriding interest must be the safety of the public and the quality of care they receive
• regulators must be independent
• regulation is as much about sustaining, assuring and improving standards as it is about identifying and addressing poor practice and behaviour
• regulation should be proportionate.

Until now, the RPSGB has acted as both the regulator and the professional body. Combining both functions in a single organisation creates a conflict of interest. Separating the two will ensure effective regulation and public protection and, in addition, a stronger voice for the profession.

The GPhC will be set up as an independent regulator with the primary objective of ensuring health, safety and wellbeing of the public. 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 also help to ensure that the profession is well placed to meet the challenges of the future.

The vision for pharmacy regulation 
The establishment of the GPhC is an opportunity to create a modern, responsive pharmacy regulator. Its aim will be to create confidence in the public and command the respect of the professions it regulates.

What is changing? 
An outline of the new approach to regulation and details of the key areas of change, such as statutory continuing professional development and standards for premises.

Roles 
How the UK Government and devolved administrations are working with other pharmacy bodies to deliver the changes safely and effectively.