Two Types of Inspections
Routine Inspections
These are, as the name dictates, routine to ensure that pharmacies of all kinds of ownership and size, as well the pharmacists who work in them, are adhering to the regulatory standards.
Generally, a representative from the GPhC will turn up unannounced. An all-inclusive approach with input from the whole team is required in these kinds of inspections.
Routine inspections are particularly key for those that are new to the register, or have recently failed to uphold one or more of the standards.
Intelligence-led Inspections
Should a concern be raised, or information received from another individual, organisation or regulatory body, an intelligence-led GPhC investigation may be launched.
Anyone from healthcare providers to journalists and the media or people’s peers can raise a concern to the General Pharmaceutical Council. The nature of these concerns and their scale and potential impact or risk of harm to the public or patients must be carefully considered.
While all concerns will be acknowledged, not all may be formally investigated, with regulatory guidance instead being given or a referral to another regulator.