In our view the government’s new proposals for the regulation of the pharmacy profession mean that it is no longer necessary for primary care trusts (PCTs) to keep lists of community pharmacist contractors or to introduce a requirement for PCTs to keep lists of individual pharmacists.  The establishment and maintenance of such lists is unnecessary, costly and onerous for both PCTs and pharmacists.

The government’s review of the regulation of the pharmacy profession has resulted in proposals to further strengthen the regulation of pharmacists with the establishment of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPC).  The new body will be responsible for the regulation of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and the registration of pharmacy premises.  The GPC will also include the pharmacy inspectorate who will be responsible for ensuring stringent standards are maintained and that poorly performing practitioners are dealt with appropriately.  New routes for investigating and dealing with poorly performing practitioners with drug or alcohol abuse, health or other issues are also being established to ensure that these pharmacists are dealt with appropriately and that patient and public safety is protected at all times.  In our view PCT staff are not adequately trained or resourced to undertake the investigation of poorly performing pharmacists or to deal with fitness to practise issues.  We believe that disciplinary issues concerning pharmacists should be dealt with by their professional regulatory body.

We strongly believe there is no need for another body to compile a list of community pharmacists or to become involved in the fitness to practice of individual pharmacists when the new regulatory body for the pharmacy profession will have such far reaching and strengthened powers. 

We hope you take our concerns on board.

Yours sincerely,

Ruth Wakeman MRPharmS

Information Department Manager