Government unveils plans for new, independent pharmacy regulator

Pharmacy lawyer Roy Botterill outlines Government plans to deregulate traditional chemists in favour of creating broader US-style pharmacies, now that the Government has unveiled plans for a new, independent pharmacy regulator.

The body will oversee pharmacists, technicians and pharmacies throughout Great Britain and is due to be in place by spring 2010.

The new General Pharmaceutical Council will replace the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB).

The Council is tasked with developing new standards to provide a clearer framework within which to work to ensure that public health, safety and wellbeing continue to be at the centre of pharmacy services.

Following recommendations in a Government White Paper, establishing the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) will mean separation of professional leadership from regulation, ensuring that the regulator is independent of all interest groups.

This is in line with regulation of other health professions.

The GPhC also plans to create a single register for all pharmacies, pharmacy technicians and pharmacists, which will replace the registers currently held by the RPSGB.

The regulator’s new definition of ‘practising’ for pharmacy professionals will mean that many of those not previously registered as practising will now need to consider doing so.

The titles ‘pharmacist’ and ‘pharmacy technician’ will be restricted to those on the GPhC register, regardless of whether or not they are in a clinical or patient-facing role.

For more information on the legal services for pharmacies, please contact Roy Botterill on roy.botterill@harveyingram.com or call 0116 257 4431.