COVID-19 Q&A: for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians

We have compiled answers to the questions we are being asked in relation to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Categorised by theme, use the links below to navigate to the relevant section. 

Last reviewed 3 October 2022

Revalidation and renewal 

Pharmacy operations   

Supply of tests for COVID-19 from pharmacies (opens on a separate tab)


Revalidation and renewal

What revalidation records do I need to submit if I am due to renew my registration after 1 October 2022, (and my registration expiry is after 1 December 2022)?

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who are due to renew their registration on or after 1 October 2022 will need to submit all six revalidation records, which comprise:

  • Four CPD records (two of which must be planned events)
  • One peer discussion
  • One reflective account 

What standards do I need to reflect on?

If you are due to renew your registration on or after 1 October 2022, you should reflect on one or more of the following three standards:

  • Standard 1 - pharmacy professionals must provide person-centred care
  • Standard 2 - pharmacy professionals must work in partnership with others
  • Standard 5 - pharmacy professionals must use their professional judgement

You only need to reflect on the standards for your reflective account; you do not need to reflect on these standards for your four CPD records or for your peer discussion.

What should I do if I cannot submit the entries that are required?  

If you do not feel you are able to submit the reduced submission of one reflective account by your revalidation submission deadline, you will need to complete an exceptional circumstances request on your myGPhC account. 

We will only consider exceptional circumstances if you can provide evidence to show you have not been able to practise between 10 – 12 months of your registration year.

We will not usually consider exceptional circumstances where your reason is due to the demands on your practice due to the pandemic. 

Am I still required to renew my registration, and do I need to still pay the full registration fee?

You will need to make the required declarations and pay the fee to renew your registration. Your renewal is due two months before your registration expiry date. 
If you have a direct debit set up, please refer to your renewal notice for the date by which you need to make your fitness to practise declarations by.       


Pharmacy operations

What should I do if I have concerns about an unplanned temporary closure of a community pharmacy?

The responsible pharmacist, superintendent pharmacist or pharmacy owner has to notify the relevant NHS organisation if a pharmacy has to close unexpectedly during its contracted opening hours. The NHS organisation would be:

  • NHS England & NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) regional teams in England
  • The local NHS Board community pharmacy team in Scotland
  • The Local Health Board community pharmacy team and NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership in Wales

There may be particular arrangements in place for pharmacy closures during the COVID-19 pandemic; the relevant NHSE&I regional team in England, the local NHS Board Community Pharmacy Team in Scotland and Community Pharmacy Wales should be able to advise you on any arrangements in place.

Any concerns about temporary pharmacy closures (for whatever reason) should be reported to the relevant NHS organisation who will look into this as appropriate. We do not have a direct role in relation to temporary pharmacy closures. Our focus in regulating pharmacies is on patient safety and whether a pharmacy is operating safely and effectively. Where a pharmacy has to temporarily close, we would expect the pharmacy to make sure that they have made arrangements so that patients can get the medicines and pharmaceutical care they need. It is important that the pharmacy also communicates these plans to appropriate stakeholders and to the relevant NHS organisations.