We have published our annual performance review of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). During 2021/22, we monitored the GPhC’s performance against the Standards of Good Regulation (the Standards).
For this period, the GPhC has met 15 out of the 18 Standards. Our report explains how we made our decision.
We raised concerns about the GPhC’s fitness to practise function in 2018/19 and since then we have been monitoring how the GPhC is working to address them. This year the GPhC completed its action plan and launched a new fitness to practise strategy. Both pieces of work are aimed at improving the performance of the GPhC’s fitness to practise function and we welcome this continued commitment to addressing our concerns. Last year we reported seeing evidence of improvements but some of our concerns remained. This year, the overall direction of travel remains positive but the timing of activities, coupled with the time it takes to embed changes, means we have not yet seen tangible evidence that our remaining concerns have been addressed. We cannot yet say that Standards 15, 16 and 18 are met.
Last year our escalation process was triggered because the GPhC had not met the same Standards for three consecutive years. Our Chair wrote to the Chair of the GPhC setting out our concerns and expectations for this year. As the GPhC’s direction of travel has continued to be positive, we did not find it necessary to further escalate matters this year. Our Chair has however provided a written update to the Chair of the GPhC.
The performance review is our check on how well the regulators have been protecting the public and promoting confidence in the health and care professions. We do this by assessing their performance against our Standards. The judgements we make against each Standard incorporate a range of evidence to form an overall picture of performance. Meeting a Standard means that we are satisfied that a regulator is performing well in that area.
In January 2022, we implemented a new performance review approach, starting with the 2021/22 round of reviews. In the new process, we undertake a ‘periodic review’ of each regulator every three years. This is our opportunity to look closely at all aspects of the regulator’s work. Between these reviews, we monitor their performance, focusing on areas of risk. This year, we undertook a monitoring review of the GPhC.
ENDS
Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care
Contact: media@professionalstandards.org.uk
Notes to the Editor
- The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care oversees 10 statutory bodies that regulate health and social care professionals in the UK.
- We assess their performance and report to Parliament. We also conduct audits and investigations and can appeal fitness to practise cases to the courts if we consider that sanctions are insufficient to protect the public and it is in the public interest.
- We also set standards for organisations holding voluntary registers for health and social care occupations and accredit those that meet them.
- We share good practice and knowledge, conduct research and introduce new ideas to our sector. We monitor policy developments in the UK and internationally and provide advice on issues relating to professional standards in health and social care.
- We do this to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of users of health and social care services and the public. We are an independent body, accountable to the UK Parliament.
- The General Pharmaceutical Council (the GPhC) regulates pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy premises in Great Britain. Its work includes: setting standards for the education and training of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and approving and accrediting their qualifications and training; maintaining a register of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacies; setting the standards that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians (pharmacy professionals) must meet throughout their careers; investigating concerns that pharmacy professionals are not meeting its standards, and taking action to remove or restrict their ability to practise when it is necessary to protect patients and the public; setting standards for registered pharmacies which require them to provide a safe and effective service to patients; inspecting registered pharmacies to check they are meeting the standards required. As at 30 June 2022, the GPhC was responsible for a register of 86,250 pharmacy professionals and 13,849 pharmacy premises. Its annual retention fee is £257 for pharmacists, £121 for pharmacy technicians and £365 for pharmacy premises
- Our values are – integrity, transparency, respect, fairness and teamwork – and we strive to ensure that they are at the core of our work.
- More information about our work and the approach we take is available at www.professionalstandards.org.uk