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General
Q. What is the GPhC’s status now?
Q. Are you sure the GPhC is going to open on schedule?
Q. What happens if there is a general election prior to the establishment of the GPhC? Will it still go ahead?
Q. Will the GPhC regulate dispensing doctors?
Q. Will RPSGB council members be eligible to be members of the GPhC at the same time?
Q. How will a small council cope with what would be a potentially large workload for the GPhC?
Q. How are you going to keep everyone updated with progress on the establishment of the GPhC?
Q. What will the GPhC do about the high workload many pharmacists face and the risks this creates for patient safety?
Q. What will be the remit of the GPhC designate before demerger?
Q. What will the GPhC's stance be on the decriminalisation of dispensing errors?
A. The Pharmacy Order was made by the Privy Council on 10 February 2010. The GPhC was granted legal status on 10 February and was granted its legal constitution on 12 March when the General Pharmaceutical Council (Constitution) Order 2010 came into force. The appointments of the Chair, Council members and Chief Executive/Registrar were ratified on March 17. However, the GPhC has not yet taken over regulatory responsibility from the RPSGB — this will take place once the standards needed for Day One are agreed and all the parliamentary processes are complete — in particular, the Rules. The GPhC and others are working hard to fix a launch date, which will be agreed once preparatory work has been completed and the parliamentary timetable is clear.
A. In line with recommendations in the Government's White Paper Trust, Assurance and Safety — the Regulation of Health Professionals in the 21st Century, good progress is being made to establish a new, independent, professional regulator for pharmacy.
The Health and Social Care Act 2008 has introduced the necessary primary legislation to enable the creation of a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
The Pharmacy Order, setting out the role, functions and powers of the GPhC, was made on 10 February 2010. The GPhC has had a legal constitution since March 12, and its Council member and Chief Executive appointments were ratified on March 17. The work on producing the standards and Rules is ongoing. The GPhC is confident that it is on schedule to be operational in 2010.
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A. The Health and Social Care Act 2008 sets out the provisions for the establishment of the GPhC. There is no indication that a general election and change of party would affect this direction of travel. However, in the event of a general election, the legislative timetable would slip and this could affect the opening date for the GPhC depending on the timing of elections.
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A. The Pharmacy Order reflects the intention contained within Trust, Assurance and Safety: that the GPhC will be responsible for regulating pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy premises. Dispensing doctors will be outside of the jurisdiction of the GPhC. The regulation of doctors will continue to be undertaken by the General Medical Council.
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A. The General Pharmaceutical Council (Constitution) Order 2010, which came into force on 12 March 2010,covers matters including the grounds on which persons are to be disqualified for appointment as registrant or lay members of council. Three RPSGB council members were appointed to the GPhC council designate but stood down from the RPSGB council at the end of October 2009.
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A. The responsibility of the Council lies in governance and strategic oversight for the GPhC not in "doing regulation". Council members bring a mix of generic skills, have a broad knowledge of practice, and will be familiar with regulation from both a lay and professional viewpoint. They should have sufficient breadth of expertise and experience to guide the GPhC's consultation and stakeholder engagement programme to ensure that it hears from all relevant employment sectors and areas of specialist practice. The Council’s size should be viewed in this context.
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A. The GPhC has a comprehensive communications plan in place which includes all stakeholders, particularly those directly affected by the changes. We are using the interim GPhC website to provide information and updates, briefings and frequently asked questions. We are also placing information in the professional press on a regular basis, and working with partner organisations to communicate with their members. Later on we will contact registrants by direct mail to ensure they are aware of the changes and what it means for them.
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A. The GPhC has not yet had a chance to consider the issues around this topic. Once established, the GPhC will want to look carefully at all the factors which are important to maintaining the safety and quality of pharmacy services.
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A. Up until this month the GPhC had no powers or legal existence, so it could only be involved in preparatory work to set the future scene for regulation of the pharmacy profession. Now that the Pharmacy Order and the Constitution Order have been made the GPhC has the power to set standards and make Rules in preparation for the transfer of regulatory functions. The GPhC will have no responsibility for regulation until the date of transfer of regulatory functions from the RPSGB, which is anticipated to be 2010, subject to Parliamentary timetables and processes.
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A. The GPhC will need to ensure that its policies and procedures in this area are in line with other health care professions, and are proportionate and strike a proper balance while still ensuring patient safety. It will have the power to prescribe cases that should not be referred to the Investigating Committee and it will no doubt keep abreast of, and where possible, contribute to ongoing work to resolve the issues, including the review of the Medicines Act 1968.
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