COBRA Login

Sector Dispatch - Pharmacy services

Pharmacy services sector continues to be overhauled

The pharmacy services sector has undergone a period of significant change during the past few years as part of a fundamental modernisation of the pharmacy profession.

Recent changes have included the automation of services to improve processes and increase efficiency, the emergence of online pharmacies, and Government plans to improve healthcare provision, which in turn has led to the development of new ways of working, including the exporting of medicines by pharmacies.

New independent pharmacy regulator

The overhaul of the sector will continue during 2010, with the introduction of a new independent regulator for pharmacy businesses in England, Scotland and Wales. The regulator will be part of a raft of new measures, including:

• The introduction of statutory continuing professional development (CPD) for pharmacists.
• The introduction of statutory standards for premises.
• The statutory registration of pharmacy technicians by 2011.
• New standards for proficiency.

Pharmacies in Northern Ireland will continue to have their own regulator, the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Under the Pharmacy Order 2009, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) will replace The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) as the regulator for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy practices in Great Britain, in the spring of 2010. The exact date for the changeover will be announced once the Order, which is currently in draft form, is finalised. The Order is the legislation under which the GPhC's role, function and powers have been established.

New principles and standards

The GPhC will ensure that pharmacists are regulated to the same standards as other healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, and adhere to principles that have been introduced to improve public confidence in the regulatory framework.

• To read the full report subscribe to the Better Business Adviser