The GPhC inspects registered pharmacies in Great Britain to check that they are meeting the required standards. This enables us to provide assurance to patients and the public that they will receive safe and effective pharmacy care.
Now there are plans to update the approach to inspections, including introducing shorter, more focused inspections (alongside established full inspections), so that more inspection activity can be carried out as efficiently as possible.
Inspectors will have the option to switch to a full inspection if they deem it necessary or beneficial. Any pharmacy being inspected for the first time will automatically have a full inspection.
The planned changes are due to be implemented during January 2025.
A summary of the proposed changes:
- More targeted inspection activity to focus on areas of higher risk by employing a shorter, focused inspection methodology for some routine inspections.
- The ability to carry out re-inspections at any time up to six months plus two weeks from the date of initial inspection, resulting in more timely follow-up when standards have not been met.
- Taking a more flexible and risk-based approach to when and how we carry out inspections for newly-registered pharmacies
- Shorter, clearer inspection reports and improved standardisation of approach across the inspectorate.
As well as focused and full inspections, other types of inspections will continue, including re-inspections, intelligence-led inspections and themed inspections.
Chief Pharmacy Officer at the General Pharmaceutical Council, Roz Gittins, said:
“Pharmacy inspections are a vital part of our role as the pharmacy regulator. They help to ensure patients and the public get safe and effective pharmacy care – whether that is online or face-to-face.
“Updating the inspections process means we can be more targeted, focusing on areas of higher risk, and the key standards for patient safety.
“It means we will be able to carry out more inspection activity as efficiently as possible.”
“Our priority is patient safety, and inspections help with assuring the public that they can have trust in pharmacy and the services they provide.”