GPhC highlights concerns to registrants and pharmacy owners
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has today written to pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy owners to raise awareness of some emerging issues which have led to concerns being raised with them, and asked everyone to review the information provided and consider what actions they may need to take, depending on their role and the setting(s) in which they work. These issues/concerns include:
Working with online prescribing services not regulated in the UK
The GPhC has recently taken enforcement action against some registered pharmacies supplying medicines that have been prescribed by prescribers working for unregulated online platforms. In these cases, the pharmacies had not carried out the necessary due diligence or appropriate risk assessment about working with these unregulated online platforms, which are often based outside of the UK.
There is a reminder of the importance of following GPhC’s key guidance, including:
Supply or administration of non-medicinal, unregulated products
The GPhC has received concerns relating to non-medicinal, unregulated, unlicensed products and other products used for non-surgical cosmetic procedures, being supplied by community pharmacies, or being administered by pharmacists via injection in other settings. The GPhC has received concerns suggesting these products have potentially caused serious harm.
The GPhC highlights relevant information and advice to pharmacy professionals and pharmacy owners, including the standards for pharmacy professionals and for registered pharmacies.
Providing complementary or alternative therapy services.
The GPhC is aware of a small number of pharmacies that have introduced complementary or alternative therapies such as acupuncture and reminds pharmacy professionals and pharmacy owners that they must ensure they have the necessary knowledge, skills, training, and indemnity insurance to provide such services.
The full email from the GPhC can be viewed online here.
