Making decisions about more serious concerns

If we investigate a concern and consider that there is evidence to show that a pharmacy professional’s fitness to practise may be impaired, the case is likely to be heard by a committee.

These committees make decisions about a case which may result in sanctions being imposed on a pharmacy professional's registration.

Sanctions imposed by a committee, which can include a pharmacy professional being suspended or removed from the register, are not about punishment. Instead, they are made in the public interest – either to ensure public safety, to maintain public confidence in the professions, or to maintain proper standards of behaviour.

Investigating Committee

The Investigating Committee meets in private. It can decide to close a case with no further action, or to close it after giving advice or a warning to the pharmacy professional. The committee can also agree undertakings with the pharmacy professional or refer the case to a Fitness to Practise Committee for a full hearing.

Fitness to Practise Committee

Fitness to practise hearings are usually held in public. If the Fitness to Practise Committee decides the pharmacy professional is not fit to practise it can give them a warning, set conditions that limit how they can practise, or it can suspend them or remove them from the register.

Find out more

Use the links below to browse through all the available information and guidance you might need:

Being a witness

Hearings schedule

Determinations search

Managing concerns: guidance and resources

Fitness to Practise: glossary of terms

Fitness to Practise: frequently asked questions