Regulation of Health and Social Care Professionals Consultation

Medicines Act 1968. 4 The definition of a retail pharmacy business is any business
that includes the sale of medicinal products other than those on a general sales
list. 5
11.9 The relevant rules require that the register must contain certain information such
as the address of the premises, the name and address of the person carrying on
a retail pharmacy business at the premises and any conditions to which
registration is subject. 6 The rules also specify the contents of the application form
for registration and renewal, and the procedures for annotation and voluntary
removal from the register. 7 Other aspects of the legal framework include statutory
powers for the Registrar to remove a registered pharmacy from the register if it
fails to meet the relevant standards or its entry has been fraudulently procured or
incorrectly made, and restore it to the register. 8
Standards
11.10 The General Pharmaceutical Council is required to make rules about the
standards that are to be met for carrying on a retail pharmacy business at a
registered pharmacy. Owners and superintendent pharmacists are responsible
for ensuring that the published standards for retail pharmacy business are met.
These standards apply to matters such as record keeping, operating procedures,
staff training, incident reporting, handling and storage of medicinal products, the
condition of the premises, conducting of clinical procedures, and management of
waste. 9 Any question about the fitness to practise of individuals operating within
the premises is dealt with by the normal fitness to practise procedures, although
all professionals operating within the retail pharmacy must comply with the set
standards. Thus the standards for retail pharmacy business detail what is
required within the retail pharmacy business, rather than simply the duties of the
owner or superintendent. The Council also makes rules specifying the standards
needed in order for an annotation in the register in respect of a specialism. 10
11.11 The General Pharmaceutical Council must also make provision in rules requiring
any person carrying on a retail pharmacy business to provide information to the
Council. Such information includes the details of the person carrying on the retail
pharmacy business and any relevant criminal offences that such an individual
has been charged with whether or not the charge has resulted in a caution or
conviction. 11
11.12 Although the General Pharmaceutical Council is not a product regulator, the
regulation of medicines is an important aspect of the overall legal framework for
standard setting through the provisions of the Medicines Act 1968 and Poisons
4 Pharmacy Order 2010, SI 2010 No 231, art 19(1).
5 Medicine Act 1968, s 132.
6
General Pharmaceutical Council (Registration Rules) Order of Council 2010, SI 2010 No
1617, r 6(1).
7 As above, rr 21 to 30.
8 Pharmacy Order 2010, SI 2010 No 231, arts 29(3)(b) and 37(2).
9 As above, art 7(1).
10 As above, art 27(1)(f).
11 As above, art 7(4) to (7).
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