GPhC plans to enhance pharmacy inspections with targeted, flexible approach

The pharmacy regulator will conduct shorter, more focused inspections alongside full inspections

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has announced plans to update the pharmacy inspection process by adopting a more targeted and flexible approach.

The GPhC inspects registered pharmacies in Great Britain to ensure they meet required standards, assuring patients and the public of safe, effective care.

During its Council meeting today (12), the pharmacy regulator outlined plans to improve its inspection approach, including the introduction of shorter, more focused inspections alongside the existing full inspections, to increase efficiency and enable more inspection activity.

Inspectors can switch to a full inspection if they believe it is necessary or beneficial. Pharmacies being inspected for the first time will automatically undergo a full inspection.

In addition to focused and full inspections, other types, such as re-inspections, intelligence-led inspections, and themed inspections, will also continue.

Roz Gittins, chief pharmacy officer at GPhC, highlighted the importance of pharmacy inspections in ensuring safe and effective pharmacy care, whether online or face-to-face.

“Updating the inspections process means we can be more targeted, focusing on areas of higher risk, and the key standards for patient safety.

“It means we will be able to carry out more inspection activity as efficiently as possible.”

“Our priority is patient safety, and inspections help with assuring the public that they can have trust in pharmacy and the services they provide,” he added.

Proposed changes include:

• A more targeted inspection approach, focusing on higher-risk areas through shorter, focused inspections for some routine checks.
• The option to conduct re-inspections up to six months and two weeks from the date of the initial inspection, ensuring timely follow-up when standards are not met.
• A more flexible, risk-based approach to when and how to carry out inspections for newly-registered pharmacies
• Shorter, clearer inspection reports and improved standardisation of approach across the inspectorate.

The planned changes are set to be implemented in January 2025.