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Previous consultations

Find out about our previous consultations and read the consultation reports we have published.

Consultations held in:

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2012

2011

2010

2009

Consultations held in 2019

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 proposed increases are: 

  • pharmacists by £7 from £250 to £257
  • pharmacy technicians by £3 from £118 to £121
  • pharmacy premises by £21 from £241 to £262

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 document

Read the consultation document in Welsh (Cymraeg)

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. Cymraeg 

 

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.

Consultations held in 2012

 

Modernising pharmacy regulation: A consultation on the draft standards for registered pharmacies

This consultation ran for 12 weeks and closed on 7 May 2012. We consulted on proposed changes to the way in which registered pharmacies across Great Britain are regulated.

Find out more about our Standards for registered pharmacies here.

GPhC fees rules 2012

This consultation ran for 12 weeks and closed on 8 May 2012. We sought views on the content of the draft fees rules for 2012.

 

Amendments to rules consultation

This consultation ran for 12 weeks and closed on 12 July 2012. We sought views on changes to some of the rules that set out how we carry out our functions as a regulator. The proposals aimed to improve the GPhC’s rules governing its statutory committees, the advisers to those committees, fitness to practise proceedings, and the evidence of identity required as part of the registration process.

Consultations held in 2011

Equality scheme

This consultation ran for 12 weeks and closed on 30 September 2011. We sought views on the contents of our draft equality scheme.

 

Methadone - Call for evidence

This call for evidence sought the experiences and views on the extemporaneous preparation of methadone liquid, and informed the development of standards for pharmacy owners and superintendent pharmacists.

 

Consultation on the draft Welsh language scheme

This consultation ran for  12 weeks and closed on 17 June 2011. We sought the opinions on the content of our draft Welsh language Scheme. Following the consultation we were granted approval to use our scheme by the Welsh Language Board.

 

GPhC fees rules 2011-12

This consultation ran for a twelve-week period and closed on 12 May 2011. We sought the opinions on proposed opinions on the content of the draft fees rules for 2011-2012.

 

CPD rules and framework

This consultation ran for a fourteen-week period and closed on 7 February 2011. We sought opinions on the content of the draft CPD framework and rules.

Consultations held in 2010

2011 fees rules

This consultation ran for a twelve-week period and closed on 16 August 2010. We sought opinions on the content of the draft fees rules for 2011.

 

Standards

This initial consultation on draft standards for the pharmacy profession and guidance supporting them was hosted by the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence and closed on 12th January 2010. It covered the following:

  • Pharmacy owners, superintendent pharmacists and premises
  • Code of ethics, conduct and performance
  • Proficiency
  • Education and training
  • Continuing professional development

 

Rules

Between February and May 2010 we consulted on the following rules for the pharmacy profession:

  • Fees
  • Registration
  • Appeals
  • Statutory committees and their advisors
  • Fitness to Practise

Consultations held in 2009

Pharmacy Order

Our first formal consultation was on the draft Pharmacy Order 2010 — the legislation under which the GPhC was established, setting out our role, functions and powers. This consultation was conducted by the DH, not the GPhC, and the consultation document and report can be accessed on the National Archives website.

You can download our consolidated legislation here: Pharmacy Order 2010 and Rules