Previous consultations

Find out about our previous consultations and read the consultation reports we compiled from the responses' analysis.

If you are interested in any of our consultations prior to 2014, please send us a request via communications@pharmacyregulation.org

Consultations held in:

2020

Consultation on managing concerns about pharmacy professionals (FtP Strategy)

Consultation on English language skills competence

Consultation on the draft 2020 fees rules

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

Consultations held in 2020 

Consultation on managing concerns about pharmacy professionals

The newly developed strategy will help us give patients and the public better protection while being fair to pharmacy professionals.

The strategy proposes to take quick action to protect patients when needed, while at the same time promoting and encouraging a learning culture that allows pharmacy professionals to deal with any concerns and go back to practising in appropriate circumstances.

The proposed strategy includes the following key aspects:

  • Strategic aims and outcomes.
  • A new approach to assessing concerns once they are raised with us.
  • Introduction of several, more flexible, outcomes to conclude a concern, such as using a reflective piece and mediation.
  • Addressing any inequalities and bias within decision making.
  • Improving the service it provides by being more person-centred.
  • Sharing best practice and learning from others.

Read the consultation document to see our strategy in full  [PDF 752 KB]

You can also read the consultation document in Welsh [PDF 1.1 MB]  

Consultation on English language skills competence

Our proposals for this consultation recommended that applicants to the registers of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians could use a recent pass of the Pharmacy Occupational English Language Test (OET) as evidence of English language competence.

Read the consultation report  [PDF 549 KB)

Read the consultation document to see our proposals in full [PDF 529 KB]

You can also read the consultation document in Welsh [PDF 659 KB]   
 

Consultation on the draft 2020 fees rules

In early 2020 we run a consultation on proposals to increase registration fees for pharmacy premises from £262 to £365.

Fees for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians will not be increased this year.

The consultation was seeking views on whether the fees paid by pharmacy owners should cover the full costs of regulating pharmacy premises. The proposed increase aims to close the existing gap of £103 between the fees paid by pharmacies and the actual costs of regulating each pharmacy, based on 2018/19 figures.

We are proposing this increase because we need a robust and sustainable financial framework with fees that reflect the true cost of regulation.

Read the draft 2020 fees rules and consultation analysis [PDF 318 KB]

Read the consultation analysis report [PDF 566 KB]

Read the consultation document to see our proposals in full [PDF 1.11 MB]

You can also read the consultation document in Welsh [PDF 823 KB]

Consultations held in 2019  

Consultation on draft guidance for pharmacist prescribers

The consultation was based on our proposed guidance for pharmacist prescribers to make sure they provide safe and effective care when prescribing.

The guidance sets out nine key areas that relate to the provision of safe and effective prescribing. Pharmacist prescribers should consider the first eight areas when prescribing, to ensure safe and effective care. These are:

  1. taking responsibility for prescribing safely
  2. keeping up to date and prescribing within your level of competence
  3. working in partnership with other healthcare professionals and people seeking care 
  4. prescribing in certain circumstances
  5. prescribing non-surgical cosmetic medicinal products
  6. remote prescribing
  7. safeguards for the remote prescribing of certain medicines
  8. raising concerns

Section 9 deals with information for pharmacy owners and employers of pharmacist prescribers.

Read the consultation document [PDF 1 MB]

Read the consultation document in Welsh [PDF 760 KB]

Read the consultation analysis report [PDF 560 KB]

Read the consultation analysis report in Welsh (Cymraeg) [PDF 760KB]

Consultation on the initial education and training standards for pharmacists

Earlier this year we consulted on significant changes to the initial education and training of pharmacists. The proposals included in the consultation are:

  • having one set of standards and learning outcomes that cover the full period of education and training before initial registration as a pharmacist, with closer integration between academic study and practical experience
  • strengthening experiential learning and inter-professional learning
  • revising the learning outcomes so that they are more focused on developing clinical skills and communication skills, while still retaining the critical importance of science
  • setting an expectation that schools of pharmacy, employers and commissioners will work together to develop proposals for integrating the 52 weeks of learning in practice within accredited programmes
  • requiring a more rigorous and structured approach to learning in practice (currently known as pre-registration training) with more regular and documented progress meetings
  • strengthening requirements in relation to selection and admission and to equality, diversity and inclusion

Read the analysis report on the consultation [PDF 1 MB]

Read the consultation analysis report in Welsh (Cymraeg) [PDF 719 KB]

Read the post-consultation Equality Impact Assessment [PDF 774 KB]

Read the consultation document [PDF 924 KB]

Read the consultation document in Welsh [PDF 1.43 MB]

Consultation on the draft 2019 fees rules

We consulted on proposals to increase the entry and yearly renewal fees for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and registered pharmacies. 

The consultation document outlines our proposals and also explains that we are planning to undertake a comprehensive review of costs and fees, to inform a sustainable longer-term financial strategy.

Read the consultation report [PDF 1.34 MB]

Read the equality impact assessment summary [PDF 142 KB]

Read the consultation document [PDF 412 KB]

Read the consultation document in Welsh (Cymraeg) [PDF 1.46 MB]    

 

Consultations held in 2018

Consultation on our publication and disclosure policy

Our new our publication and disclosure policy and an annex sets out our approach to publishing and disclosing information about individuals who are subject to fitness to practise procedures.We have introduced this updated version to ensure we are complying with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). 

Read the policy

The policy covers the information that we publish on our website and online register, and that we disclose to third parties. It sets out how we deal with individual requests for information, and overall, how we do this in a consistent, transparent and fair way.

We are seeking views on the new policy and would welcome input from interested groups across the pharmacy sector, including:

  • those who have been through our fitness to practise processes
  • patients and the public
  • organisations involved in GDPR

Read the consultation document 

Discussion paper: Making sure patients and the public obtain medicines and other pharmacy services safely online

In June 2018 we published a discussion paper proposing that online pharmacies will have to put in place new safeguards to protect people who want to obtain medicines online, including opiates, antibiotics, asthma inhalers and Botox. The consultation ran from the end of June to late August 2018.

Consultation on developing our approach to regulating registered pharmacies

We consulted on developing our approach to regulating registered pharmacies. This would include publishing inspection reports for the first time. The consultation ran from June to August 2018.

Consultation on education and training standards for pharmacist independent prescribers

We consulted on our proposals for the education and training standards for pharmacist independent prescribers. The consultation ran from March to May 2018.

Engagement events on unregistered staff

In October 2018 we held focus groups with patients and the public and unregistered staff on the requirements we set for unregistered pharmacy team members. 

Read the report from these focus groups

Survey on views on GPhC services and communications 

Over 500 pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy owners took part in an online survey about GPhC services and communications. Respondents shared their experiences of key services including registration renewal and gave their views on the communications they receive from us and on taking part in consultations. Respondents were also asked for suggestions for how our services and communications could be improved.

Read the survey report   

Consultations held in 2017 

Consultation on guidance to ensure a safe and effective pharmacy team

We consulted on new guidance for pharmacy owners to ensure a safe and effective pharmacy team. The consultation ran from July to October 2017. 

Revalidation for pharmacy professionals

We consulted on proposals to introduce revalidation for pharmacy professionals to further assure the trust in pharmacy professionals is well placed. The consultation ran from 24 April 2017 to 17 July 2017.

The Council considered the feedback received at its meeting and approved the revalidation framework at its meeting in December 2017. 

Revised threshold criteria

We consulted on a revised threshold criteria to ensure they are an effective decision-making tool and to take account of changes in pharmacy regulation. The consultation ran from 13 December 2016 to 7 March 2017.

Our Council considered the feedback we received and agreed the threshold criteria at its meeting in July 2017 and the new threshold criteria came into effect in January 2018.

Religion, personal values and beliefs in pharmacy practice

We consulted on a proposed change to one of the examples in the new standards for pharmacy professionals and guidance on religion, personal values and beliefs. The consultation ran from 13 December 2016 to 7 March 2017.

Our Council considered the first consultation report at its meeting in April 2017 and considered the second consultation report, and approved the guidance, at its meeting in June 2017.

Initial education and training standards for pharmacy technicians

We consulted on our new proposed initial education and training standards for pharmacy technicians. The consultation ran from 8 December 2016 to 1 March 2017.

Our Council considered the consultation analysis report at its meeting in June 2017 and agreed the new standards at its meeting in September 2017.

Supervising pharmacist independent prescribers in training

In January 2017 we asked for views on proposed changes to the supervision requirements of pharmacist independent prescribers.

Our Council will consider the feedback we received in an upcoming meeting.

Consultations held in 2016

Continuing professional development

We consulted on a change to our CPD framework to introduce a random sampling approach to calling in records for review. This consultation ran between 19 September and 31 October 2016.

Our Council considered the consultation report at its meeting in December 2016.

Standards for pharmacy professionals     

We consulted on proposed standards for pharmacy professionals; nine core standards that all pharmacy professionals will have to meet to ensure that patients and the public receive safe and effective care and to uphold public trust and confidence in pharmacy.  This consultation ran between 4 April and 27 June 2016.

Our governing council considered and agreed the proposed standards in their meeting on October 2016.

Read more about the national discussion on patient-centred professionalism; we held this event in 2015 to inform the new standards. 

Consultations held in 2015

Draft amendments to rules

This consultation ran between 24 September and 17 December 2015. We consulted on proposed changes to our rules [The GPhC (Registration) Rules 2010, The GPhC (Fitness to Practise and Disqualification etc.) Rules 2010, and The GPhC (Statutory Committees and their Advisers) Rules 2010]. The main purpose of these proposals was to implement the statutory requirements for a registrant to have an appropriate indemnity arrangement in force and to have the knowledge of English necessary for safe and effective practice, as conditions of their registration with us.

Guidance on evidence of English language skills

This consultation ran between 24 September and 17 December 2015. We consulted on draft guidance about the evidence, information and documents that may be provided by an applicant or registrant to demonstrate that they have the necessary knowledge of English, and the process by which the registrar will determine whether he is satisfied that the person has this knowledge .

Discussion paper on future standards for the initial education and training of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support staff

The discussion paper ran between 18 June and 14 August 2015. The paper discussed whether the education and training of the pharmacy team are appropriate to address the health priorities in Great Britain and the pharmacy services provided for people, and to check our thinking about the direction pharmacy education should take.

Discussion paper on patient-centred professionalism in pharmacy

We held a national conversation between 24 April and 26 June 2015 to hear views from patients and the public, pharmacy professionals and others about what patient-centred professionalism in pharmacy meant to them.

GPhC fees rules 2015

This consultation ran between 6 February and 15 May 2015. We consulted on proposed changes to our fees. Following consideration of the consultation responses and a final draft of the fees rules, the Council agreed to increase registration renewal fees for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy premises. The Rules came into effect on 15 October 2015.

Hearings and sanctions guidance

This consultation ran between 17 February and 31 March 2015. We consulted on a Draft hearings and sanctions guidance aimed at people involved in, or with an interest in, the GPhC’s fitness to practise (FtP) hearings.

Good decision making: fitness to practise hearings and sanctions guidance came into effect on 20 July 2015 and replaced the indicative sanctions guidance previously used by the Fitness to Practise Committee. 

Consultations held in 2014

Guidance for registered pharmacies providing internet and distance sale, supply or service provision

This consultation ran between 17 September and 10 December 2014. We consulted on a draft guidance for registered pharmacies providing internet and distance sale, supply or service provision. 

We published our Guidance for registered pharmacies providing pharmacy services at a distance, including on the internet on 21 April 2015.

Guidance for registered pharmacies preparing unlicensed medicines

This consultation ran between 28 January and 14 March 2014. We consulted on a Draft guidance for registered pharmacies preparing unlicensed medicines, aimed to advise pharmacy owners and superintendent pharmacists how they can demonstrate that they are achieving the relevant standards and safeguarding patients and the public when unlicensed medicines are prepared.

We published our Guidance for registered pharmacies preparing unlicensed medicines on 27 May 2014. This guidance was subsequently reviewed once more in August 2018. Follow this link to find the latest guidance.