General Pharmaceutical Council

General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is the regulatory body for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy premises in England, Scotland, and Wales. It is responsible for setting standards, upholding them, and taking action when these standards are not met.

History[edit | edit source]

The General Pharmaceutical Council was established by the Pharmacy Order 2010, which came into effect on 27 September 2010. The GPhC replaced the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain as the regulatory body for pharmacists in Great Britain.

Functions[edit | edit source]

The GPhC carries out a wide range of functions to ensure the safe and effective practice of pharmacy at every level. These include:

Maintaining a register of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy premises.
Setting standards for conduct, ethics, proficiency, education and training, and continuing professional development (CPD).
Establishing and promoting standards for the safe and effective practice of pharmacy at every level.
Determining fitness to practise.

Registration[edit | edit source]

To practise as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician in England, Scotland, or Wales, it is necessary to be registered with the GPhC. The GPhC maintains a searchable online register, providing assurance to the public that the pharmacy professionals they interact with are qualified and fit to practise.

Standards[edit | edit source]

The GPhC sets standards that all pharmacy professionals must meet. These standards cover personal behaviour, technical skills, and the management of pharmacy premises. The GPhC also sets standards for pharmacy education and training to ensure that all pharmacy professionals have the skills and knowledge they need to deliver safe and effective care.

Fitness to Practise[edit | edit source]

The GPhC has a responsibility to protect the public by managing concerns about pharmacy professionals' fitness to practise. This can involve investigating complaints, holding fitness to practise hearings, and, where necessary, removing professionals from the register.