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 2017, please send us a request via communications@pharmacyregulation.org

Consultations held in:

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Consultations held in 2022

Consultation on equality guidance for pharmacies

The consultation sought views on our draft guidance for pharmacies which is designed to help tackle discrimination and make sure that everyone can access safe and effective person-centred pharmacy care. The draft guidance is for everyone in the pharmacy team and is designed to support pharmacy owners to fulfil their legal and regulatory duties in relation to equality, as well as to provide a service to patients and the public which reflects good practice and is focused on continuous improvement.

We committed to developing this guidance in our Delivering equality, improving diversity and fostering inclusion: our strategy for change 2021-2026 and proposes to help pharmacy owners to:

  • demonstrate that they are meeting our standards for registered pharmacies
  • fulfil their legal and regulatory duties in relation to equality, and advance equal opportunities for their staff, patients and the wider public
  • help protect the rights of individuals
  • help improve the experience and healthcare outcomes of patients and members of the public

We also included good practice examples and case studies to help illustrate how the guidance can be used in practice.

Read the consultation document to see our proposals in full [PDF 841 KB]

Read the consultation document in Welsh [PDF 741 KB]

Discussion paper on hearings and outcomes guidance for fitness to practise panels

The discussion paper sought views on updating our guidance for fitness to practise panels to help them make decisions on outcomes, including when dealing with concerns about discriminatory behaviour. We proposed strengthening our decision-making guidance for fitness to practise panels in two areas:

  • Supporting decision-making in hearings where discrimination is a component 
  • Taking account of cultural factors when panels are deciding on an outcome 

The proposed update to the guidance makes clear what we mean by discrimination, bullying and harassment, and how seriously concerns of this nature will be taken. The revised guidance will also make sure that panel members consider cultural sensitivities and difference when taking account of expressions of apology and insight. 

Read the discussion paper to see our proposals in full [PDF 1MB]
Read the discussion paper in Welsh [PDF 750 KB]

Consultations held in 2021  

Consultation on remote hearings

We consulted on a proposed permanent change to our procedural rules to give us the express legal power to conduct some of our hearings and meetings remotely by teleconference or videolink.

We sought views to help inform our next steps and guide our long-term approach on the following key points:

our proposed permanent change to our procedural rules;
the positive and negative impacts of continuing to hold some hearings remotely on patients and the public, pharmacy professionals and individuals or groups sharing protected characteristics
the advantages and disadvantages of holding remote hearings and any circumstances when a hearing should not be held remotely.

Read the consultation analysis report [PDF 683 KB]

Read the consultation equality impact analysis [PDF 243 KB]

Read the consultation document to see our proposals in full [PDF 585 KB]  

Consultation on changes to requirements for training as a pharmacist independent prescriber

We consulted on changes which will enable more pharmacists to begin their independent prescriber training, including:

  • removing the requirements for registered pharmacists to have two years of clinical practice, before they can enroll on an accredited independent prescribing course
  • removing the requirement to have relevant experience in a specific clinical or therapeutic area, before they can enroll on an accredited independent prescribing course
  • retaining the requirement that course participants must identify an area of clinical or therapeutic practice to focus on during the course

Read the consultation document to see our proposals in full [PDF 599 KB]

Read the consultation document in Welsh [PDF 1 MB]

Read the consultation analysis report [PDF 720 KB]

Consultation on our fee review (developing the fees strategy)

We consulted on proposals to help us develop our fees strategy/our overall approach to fee setting, which is part of our long-term financial strategy to deliver a financially stable organisation that can effectively fund the cost of regulation. The proposed strategy also includes the following key aspects:

  • a proposal to retain a flat fee structure, rather than introduce differential fees, for registered pharmacy professionals. This would mean that all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians would continue to pay the same fee as others in their respective registrant group.
  • a proposal to introduce a multi-year fees cycle rather than the current annual cycle, to allow for better forward financial planning for individual registrants and the GPhC.
  • Whether we should explore charging to recover costs for the accreditation/recognition and re-accreditation/re-recognition, of all, rather than some, education and training courses and qualifications.

In this consultation we are not proposing changes to the amount paid in fees by any of our registrants

Read the consultation document to see our proposals in full [PDF 836 KB]

You can also read the consultation document in Welsh [PDF 965 KB]

Read the consultation report [PDF 475 KB]  

Consultation on our draft equality, diversity and inclusion strategy

We consulted on our draft strategy to help transform the GPhC’s approach to equality, diversity and inclusion, which proposed for a more proactive and joined up approach in using our regulatory influence and levers to help reform the structures and practices that maintain inequality and discrimination within pharmacy and pharmacy regulation.

Our draft strategy sets out three key themes which are underpinned by a series of objectives and strategic outcomes, to help evaluate and measure the success of any changes:

  • To make regulatory decisions that are demonstrably fair, lawful, and so free from discrimination and bias;
  • To use our standards to proactively help tackle discrimination in all pharmacy settings and make sure everyone can access person-centred care, fostering equality of health outcomes;
  • To lead by example and demonstrate best practice within our organisation, holding ourselves to the same high standards we expect of others.

Our proposed strategy emphasises the importance of taking a proactive approach to equality, diversity and inclusion, while improvements to the way data and insights are collected and analysed are being made.

Read the consultation document to see our proposals in full [PDF 1.1 MB]

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

Read the consultation analysis report [PDF 638 KB]

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 analysis report [PDF 948 KB]

Read the consultation analysis report in Welsh [PDF 1017 KB]

We have published a strategy that sets out how we will change our approach to managing concerns [PDF 787 KB] over the next five years. You can also read the strategy in Welsh [PDF 757 KB].

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 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 [PDF 589 KB]

Read the policy in Welsh [PDF 1 MB]

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 sought views on the new policy and received 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.