News archive

Update February 2013

15 February 2013
Read the latest from us in our regular stakeholder bulletin - Update

Engaging with patients and the public, professionals, and stakeholders on inspection

14 February 2013
Over the past month, we have been talking to pharmacy professionals and patients and members of the public about the development of a new approach to inspecting pharmacies. Pharmacy professionals have been working with us on developing an inspection decisions framework, and patients and the public on developing public reporting against our new standards for registered pharmacies.

Rebalancing initiative from the Chief Pharmaceutical Officers

14 February 2013
The UK Chief Pharmaceutical Officers have started a review of the balance between medicines legislation and statutory professional regulation in pharmacy. The GPhC supports this initiative and is committed to engaging constructively in this work, as our Chief Executive, Duncan Rudkin, told stakeholders recently at a meeting organised by the Department of Health.

Update on BBC Inside Out programme regarding allegations of illegal sales of prescription-only medicines

14 February 2013
The GPhC has responded quickly to allegations raised by the BBC’s Inside Out London programme regarding the sales of prescription-only medicines without prescriptions, in West London. Three of the pharmacists shown in the programme have now received 18 month interim suspension orders on their registration. This means they are not able to practise, while investigations continue into these allegations.

GPhC to freeze fees for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacies

8 February 2013
Renewal fees for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacies will remain at their current levels for 2013/14.

GPhC responds to Francis report on the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust public inquiry

6 February 2013
Responding to the report from the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust public inquiry, Bob Nicholls, Chair of the General Pharmaceutical Council, said:

Sample paper for the 2013 Registration Assessment released

29 January 2013
The GPhC has issued a sample paper for both the June and September 2013 sittings of the Registration Assessment.

Pharmacy regulator welcomes new members for its governing Council

18 January 2013
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has announced the make-up of its new 14-member governing Council following recruitment to eight vacancies. The first meeting of the Council in its new form will take place on 11 April 2013.

GPhC’s decisions in fitness to practise cases praised in new report

7 January 2013
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is dealing with complaints about registrants fairly, promptly and effectively, a review of its fitness to practise processes by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) has found.

Regulate - December 2012

19 December 2012
Read the final edition of Regulate for 2012