Historic changes to the regulation of the pharmacy profession announced earlier this year have been endorsed by an independent working party.
The short-term working party, led by Lord Carter of Coles was asked to work with key stakeholders on proposals to form two separate bodies to oversee pharmacy – a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) to regulate the profession and a body akin to a Royal College for pharmacy to provide leadership.
Submitting his recommendations to the Government, Lord Carter of Coles said:
“There is no doubt in my mind that a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) should be formed and I hope our report points a way forward for the regulation and leadership of the pharmacy profession.
“It is entirely appropriate that the regulation of the pharmacy profession falls in line with other healthcare professionals, by ensuring regulation is independent of professional leadership. The transformation from a ‘product-focused service’ to a truly clinical profession, directly caring for patients and the public is to be welcomed.”
Lord Carter expressed his thanks to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) and Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI) for their active contribution to this important work, and to the Kings Fund for helping the working party’s deliberations on professional leadership in pharmacy.
He also urged Government to continue in its partnership approach to the changes.
He said, “I have heard no significant dissent from this during the time of the working party. Indeed, there was positive support. The complexity of establishing both a new regulator and an effective professional leadership body should not be underestimated. That’s why I have recommended a rigorous approach to implementation, as a partnership between Government (on behalf of the public) and the pharmacy profession.”
Lord Carter’s working party recommended that Government establish a Pharmacy Regulation and Leadership Oversight Group. This Group would work closely with the pharmacy profession and the Devolved Administrations, advising Ministers on how best to ensure that the GPhC is established in a safe, efficient and effective manner. It would also help to make sure that a body akin to a Royal College is established in a manner that is fit for purpose in order to complement the responsibilities of the GPhC.