GPhC consulting on pharmacy revalidation

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is consulting on proposals to introduce revalidation. This is designed to simplify and improve the processes for how pharmacists and technicians maintain their knowledge and skills, while providing public assurance. 

It is important that employers:

• are aware of the proposed changes 
• inform staff about what they will need to do to stay on the register 
• understand the implications should they be removed from the register. 

Detailed information is available in the consultation document. 

Changes aim to

• Reduce and simplify the recording requirements for CPD from nine records to four (expected in 2019).
• Introduce a peer discussion element (expected 2020) - this will initially take additional time but as relationships form, is expected to reduce each year.
• Introduce a reflective account (expected 2010).
• Simplify the standards and guidance.
• Request for records to be submitted every year at the same time as declarations for registration renewal - remediation may apply if the individual does not submit all their records on time without good reason. In some cases the regulator may choose to start action to remove the individual from the register. 
• Improvements to review submitted records.

Further informationConsultation  on revalidation for pharmacy professionals runs until 17 July 2017. On the GPhC website you can find a helpful presentation which outlines the work done so far and the key changes. If you do wish to have your say, the GPhC is keen to hear from employers via their online consultation survey. 

Following the consultation, the GPhC plans to publish a report summarising feedback and next steps. You can find out more about professional regulation in our dedicated website section. Background to the consultation 
The GPhC is keen to improve and simplify the model of assurance for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Having carried out a three-year development programme 'continuing fitness to practise', it has been researched, tested, piloted (1,300 volunteers) and evaluated, and it is the aim to implement it in 2018. 

* Credits: NHS Employers