We have compiled answers to key questions about the temporary register, set up in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Categorised by theme, use the links below to navigate to the relevant section.
Last reviewed 22 September 2023.
About the temporary register
Information for employers
Read our policy on temporary registration arrangements [PDF 156 KB]
About the temporary register
What is the temporary register?
The GPhC set up the temporary register in March 2020, using its emergency powers to rapidly register pharmacy professionals to assist in the national response to the COVID-19 emergency. The UK Government has since asked us to close our temporary register on 31 March 2024.
Anyone entered temporarily on the register is required to be working or volunteering as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pharmacy professionals can apply to join the temporary register until 16 February 2024 and will need to complete this form.
The form includes a requirement to deliver a reflective account and provide declarations such as confirming indemnity insurance arrangements and fitness to practise.
Do I need to pay a fee to be on the temporary register?
No, you do not have to pay a fee to be on the temporary register and working or volunteering as a pharmacy professional in a role directly related to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Do I need to have personal indemnity insurance?
Everyone working or volunteering while on the temporary register must have indemnity insurance arrangements in place, appropriate for the activities being carried out. People may have personal indemnity insurance, indemnity insurance arrangements organised by their employer, or a combination of the two.
How do I leave the temporary register?
Everyone on the temporary register will be automatically removed on 1 April 2024. If you want to continue to practise you will need to prepare thoroughly before applying to return to the register.
If you want to leave the temporary register before the end of March 2024, please email registers@pharmacyregulation.org
Can I join the temporary register?
If you want to work or volunteer as a pharmacy professional in response to the Covid pandemic using temporary registration, you will need to complete this form. We will consider your application to join the temporary register until 16 February 2024 on a case by case basis. Entry on to the temporary register is not guaranteed. After 16 February, you would not be able to apply to join or re-join the temporary register.
Can I leave and re-join the temporary register?
If you leave the temporary register and later want to work or volunteer in a role as a pharmacy professional in response to the Covid pandemic and using temporary registration, you may apply to join the temporary register, if it is received on or before 16 February 2024. All applications will be considered on a case by case basis and entry on to the temporary register is not guaranteed.
Can I join the temporary register while I wait for my full registration application to be processed?
The temporary register was set up in response to the COVID-19 emergency and is not intended as a stop-gap while applying to return to the register.
Can I be a superintendent while on the temporary register?
The temporary register was set up in response to COVID-19 to provide emergency support to meet the patient care demands caused by the pandemic. The temporary register was not set up for the purpose of carrying out wider oversight and governance roles within corporate pharmacies.
Therefore, a superintendent needs to be a fully registered pharmacist and not someone on the temporary register.
How long will the temporary register continue?
The UK Government has asked the General Pharmaceutical Council to keep our temporary register open until the end of March 2024.
What would happen if a fitness to practise concern was raised about me while I am practising on the temporary register?
Where a concern is raised about a pharmacy professional with temporary registration, it will be considered on the specific facts of the case, taking into account the factors relevant to the environment in which the professional is working and the risk to patient and public safety. We will also take account of any relevant information about resource, guidelines or protocols in place at the time.
The fitness to practise concern process for temporary registrants
We will quickly assess the nature and extent of the risk to patient safety. This will be done by undertaking a swift and thorough review of the available evidence to understand the seriousness of the concern and if there is a real risk to patients. We will assess whether the professional is able to carry out their role safely and effectively or whether continuing to allow temporary registration would undermine trust and confidence in the professions.
Once we have reviewed the evidence, we will administratively remove a professional with temporary registration if the evidence suggests that removal is:
- necessary to protect the public
- otherwise in the public interest
- in the interests of the pharmacy professional
Administrative removal means that the registrar will immediately remove the person from the temporary register and they will no longer be able to practise as a pharmacy professional.
If we decide to not administratively remove then the professional will be eligible to remain in practice until the need for temporary professionals passes and they are removed with all others.
Find out more about how we will deal with concerns about pharmacy professionals with temporary registration in our guidance. [PDF 164 KB]
Temporary registration policy
Read our policy on temporary registration arrangements [PDF 156 KB].
Information for employers
I’m an employer - what do I need to do if I want to employ someone on the temporary register?
If you are a pharmacy owner or employer, when employing a pharmacy professional on the temporary register, you must make sure:
- the person’s name appears on the temporary register
- you understand the temporary register will close on 31 March 2024
- you carry out appropriate identity checks for all staff you employ
- all staff have the right knowledge, skills and competence for their role and the tasks they carry out, including a high level of English language skills
- all staff have appropriate indemnity insurance for the tasks they carry out, including pharmacy professionals on the temporary register
- all staff you employ are fit to practise in that particular role
See our guidance for employers on their responsibilities [PDF 169 KB] if they employ a pharmacy professional on the temporary register.
Information on how we will manage concerns about professionals with temporary registration is available here. [PDF 164 KB]