Publications scheme

The Publication Scheme gives information about our organisation and the classes of information we make available.

As part of our duties under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000, the GPhC has adopted the 2009 model publication scheme approved by the Information Commissioner for all health regulators. The model scheme classifies information at a high level and specifies seven classes of information. The scheme also sets out the circumstances under which we are not required to make information available.

You can view the model publication scheme on the Information Commissioner's website.

We do not currently have information about our scheme in Welsh but there is a document about the model scheme in Welsh on the Information Commissioner's website.

Definition document for health regulators

In addition to the model scheme, the Information Commissioner has developed a definition document for health regulators. This guidance is not intended to give a definitive list but gives examples of the kinds of information we make available. The definition document also lists circumstances in which we would not be expected to make information available routinely.

You can view the definition document for health regulators on the Information Commissioner's website.

A guide to information available

In operating the scheme, we need to provide a 'guide to information' covering:

• The information we make available routinely
• how the information can be accessed; and
• whether or not a charge will be made for it.

Our official guide to information is the GPhC website and you can find the information we make available routinely within the relevant sections of our website. In addition to our official guide, we have also made a general list of publications and other information which we are often asked for and routinely provide. View the list.

Contacting the information access team

Some information that the GPhC holds may only be available in paper copy or not accessible through the website. If you cannot find the information you are looking for on the website, you can request it from us by letter or email. Our contact details are:

Information Access Team
General Pharmaceutical Council
129 Lambeth Road
London
SE1 7BT
Tel: 020 3365 3507
Email: foi@pharmacyregulation.org

We will take reasonable steps to make information available and accessible in alternative formats and to meet our obligations under disability and other legislation.

Should you require information in an alternative format, please contact the Information Access Team to discuss your request.

Publication scheme charges

We aim to make most of our published information freely available on our website. However, there may be some information which is only available in paper copy or on request for which we may make a charge. Sometimes there is a specific charge for information or for a publication. We will make this clear where it applies.

Information online, printouts and photocopies

Information and publications on our website are available online free of charge. For those without internet access, we can provide single printouts of web pages free of charge. This can be arranged by contacting the information access team.

Single copies of printed GPhC publications are generally available free of charge. To order printed copies of any of our publications, call us on 0845 504 6277 or email info@pharmacyregulation.org. 

We reserve the right to levy a charge for providing information in paper copy. This also applies if we are asked to provide multiple copies, large numbers of documents or information which is archived and no longer on our website.

Charges will be based on costs of retrieval, photocopying, printing and postage. We will let you know how much this will cost at the time of your request and charges will be payable in advance.

Legislation on access to information

There is legislation that gives you rights to request access to information. These pages provide information about the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Data Protection Act 1998 and explain how to make a formal request for information.

If you would like advice or assistance about your rights under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or the Data Protection Act, please contact the information access team ;

Information Access Team
General Pharmaceutical Council
129 Lambeth Road
London
SE1 7BT
Tel: 020 3365 3507
Email: foi@pharmacyregulation.org

Data Protection Act 1998

The Data Protection Act 1998 ensures that the personal information we hold is looked after properly. It also gives you the right to request a copy of information we hold about you. For more information see the Data Protection section.

Freedom of Information Act 2000

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives you the right to request recorded information we hold that is not about you personally. For more information see the Freedom of Information section ;

Information Access Team
General Pharmaceutical Council
129 Lambeth Road
London
SE1 7BT
Tel: 020 3365 3507
Email: foi@pharmacyregulation.org.

Comments and complaints

If you would like to make a comment or complaint about the way the GPhC has handled a request or carried out its duties under the Freedom of Information Act or Data Protection Act, please go to our comments and complaints section.

If you are concerned about the GPhC's compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or the Data Protection Act, you can also contact the Information Commissioner's Office at:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Tel: 0845 630 6060
Email: mailto:mail@ico.gsi.gov.uk 
Website: www.ico.gov.uk