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Roles

The UK Government, Scottish Government and Welsh Assembly Government

The new system of regulation of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy premises will be consistent across England, Scotland and Wales to facilitate the movement of professionals between each country's health system. It will have the flexibility to take account of the wider policy context in pharmacy in all three countries.

All the legislation for the establishment of the GPhC and its standards and rules will be subject to the Westminster and Scottish parliamentary processes and will be made by Parliament on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government. There is a legal requirement to consult stakeholders in all countries.

In the first instance, the GPhC will regulate the pharmacy professions in Great Britain only. The Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety for Northern Ireland has said that he will make a decision about Northern Ireland joining the GPhC after the GPhC is established in Great Britain.

The Department of Health is carrying out the executive function on behalf of all three administrations and is responsible for setting up the GPhC as an organisation.

The Pharmacy Regulation and Leadership Oversight Group (PRLOG)

PRLOG, comprising 21 key pharmacy stakeholders, was established by Ministers following their acceptance of the recommendations of the Working Party on Professional Regulation and Leadership in Pharmacy, led by Lord Carter of Coles. PRLOG's role is to oversee the establishment of the GPhC and to advise Ministers accordingly.

PRLOG also advises Ministers on the maintenance of the current model of pharmacy regulation as the GPhC is established and identifies how leadership in the pharmacy profession can best support the regulatory role and responsibilities of the GPhC.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB)

The RPSGB is currently the professional and regulatory body for pharmacy in England, Scotland and Wales and will continue to be so until spring 2010. Its primary objectives are to lead, regulate, develop and represent the profession of pharmacy.

Upon the creation of the GPhC, the RPSGB's regulatory function will be transferred by legislation to the GPhC.

The professional bodies

There is a large number of professional bodies that represent registrants. Their roles are to:

• provide strategic leadership and practical support for registrants in their daily activities
• speak for the practice and science of pharmacy
• provide a strong, unified voice and vision for pharmacy
• be the principal voice of the profession to the GPhC.