General Pharmaceutical Council Flashcards
What is the legal basis of the regulation of healthcare professionals?
regulations of healthcare professionals was driven by Harold Shipman which led to a white paper (a signal of intent from the government on certain issues)
Health and Social Care Act 2008
- Pharmacy Order 2010
- GPhC Constituent Order 2010
What key principles underpin the statutory professional regulation from this white paper?
- MAIN interest should be patient and public safety
- Need to demonstrate impartiality with an INDEPENDENT regulator
- Sustain and IMPROVE standards as well as addressing poor practice
- Shouldn’t create unnecessary burdens on the professionals - shouldn’t be extra requirements
- Recognises the need for a SYSTEM that ensures the strength and integrity of UK health professionals
Who is the PROFESSIONAL body for pharmacy professionals?
RPS - they represent the pharmacists themselves
Who is the REGULATORY body for pharmacy professionals?
GPhC - they regulate the standard that pharmacy professionals need to uphold and they care for the interest of the PUBLIC
You can pay one fee and become a member of both the RPS and the GPhC - true or false?
FALSE - you have to now pay two separate fees as they are two different bodies
What are the different types of membership available from the RPS?
- MEMBER - someone who has currently or ever been registered as a pharmacist with the GPhC
- FELLOW - 12 years standing who has made an outstanding contribution to pharmacy
- ASSOCIATE - those who hold a degree in pharmacy but have not yet become a member
- PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENTIST - working in basic, applied or social sciences related to pharmacy
- STUDENT - studying for a degree in pharmacy - FEES ARE FREE
The Pharmacy Order 2010 is NOT a statutory instrument - true or false?
FALSE - it is a secondary piece of legislation
Statutory Instruments come in the form of
- Regulations OR
- Orders
The GPhC is a body corporate that represents the UK and Northern Ireland - true or false?
FALSE - it only represents GREAT BRITAIN, PSNI represents Northern Ireland
Who does the GPhC represent?
- Pharmacists
- Pharmacy Technicians
- Pharmacy Premises
What is the main objective of the GPhC?
main objective: protect, promote and maintain the health, safety and well-being of members of the public by making sure that registrants adhere to standards
they look after the people that USE pharmacy services
What are the principal functions of the GPhC?
- To establish and maintain a REGISTER of the pharmacists/technicians/premises
- Set and promote STANDARDS for the safe and effective practice of registered pharmacies
- Set requirements where registrants have to show that their FtP is not impaired
- Promote STANDARDS for the safe and effective practice of pharmacy BY REGISTRANTS
- Set standards and requirements in respect of EDUCATION/TRAINING/ACQUISITION of experience and CPD - either in order to gain entry to the register or gain annotations
- Ensure the CONTINUING FtP
How many members does the GPhC have?
14 members
- 7 lay - members who are NOT related to pharmacy for a different perspective
- 7 registrant - actual representation of the pharmacists/pharmacy technicians
There are placed reserved specifically for each of the professions that the GPhC regulate on the council - true or false?
FALSE - not from each profession
There is only reserved space for at least one member from each of the countries of Great Britain (England, Wales, Scotland)
How are the members of the council selected for the GPhC?
they are selected via the Appointments Committee
Who is the GPhC registrar?
the council appoint a fit and proper person to be the registrar
What are the 5 different parts of the GPhC REGISTER?
- Pharmacists
- Pharmacy Technicians
- Premises
- Pharmacists who are VISITING practitioners
- Pharmacy Technicians who are VISITING practitioners
What is a visiting practitioner?
someone from another EU country where their qualification is recognised in the UK - delivers pharmacy services but doesn’t actually register fully as a professional in Great Britain
‘Pharmacists’ and ‘Pharmacy Technicians’ are protected titles - true or false?
TRUE
What are the types of premises that the GPhC register?
- registered pharmacy premises
- training premises
What is the definition of a ‘practicing pharmacist’?
anyone who is a pharmacist/pharmacy technician or give dose any work or give advice into the relation of medicines/science of medicines/practice of pharmacy
so, a lecturer is still considered to be a practicing pharmacist
What are the things the Registrar needs to be happy with before entering someone onto the GPhC register?
- that the person is appropriately qualified
- that their FtP is not impaired
- meet the requirements for any additional training where necessary
- prescribed fee has been paid
- only if they intend to practice in Great Britain, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
How does someone from the UK become ‘appropriately qualified’ to be registered by the GPhC?
- UK MPharm Degree
- Pre Registration Year
- GPhC exam
How does an EEA national become ‘appropriately qualified’ to be registered by the GPhC?
- an EEA pharmacist qualification
EU Directives - allows the free movement of pharmacists and most qualifications are recognised in the UK
How does an overseas national become ‘appropriately qualified’ to be registered by the GPhC?
- complete an OSPAP course
- complete the same pre registration
What needs to be included in the application to be registered with the GPhC?
- Completed application for the registration form
- Copy of the degree or OSPAP Certificate
- Certified copy of Birth Certificate
- Certified copy of Marriage/Civil Partnership Certificate
- Certified copy of Proof of Identity
- Final Declaration - Tutor
- Letter of Good Standing - for OSPAP graduates
- Payment Forms
- Certified Photograph
What is an annotation?
an additional qualification or responsibilities held by a registrant
What are the annotations available currently for pharmacists?
- supplementary prescriber
- independent prescriber
How often do you have to re-register with the GPhC?
EVERY YEAR
What are the requirements for re-registering with the GPhC?
- Fitness to Practice is not impaired
- Registration meets Standards of Proficiency for the safe and effective practice of pharmacy
- Additional requirements relating to CPD
- Pay the prescribed fee
What is an ‘offence’?
a CRIMINAL offence with which charged with or cautioned with
the criminal offence is relevant wether it was a conviction OR a caution
What is an ‘investigation’?
an investigation by a licensing, regulatory or other body into the conduct of an individual/partnership/body corporate and the outcomes of those investigations
In what circumstances may the GPhC registrar remove someone from the GPhC register?
- registrants FtP has ben impaired (prescribed circumstances/mental/physical health problem)
When may the GPhC registrar remove someone from the GPhC register?
- at the time when someone is trying to enter the register
- at the time of renewal of the application
If there is a change of circumstances or problems, the registrar can just be informed upon the next renewal of registration - true or false?
FALSE
there is an obligation to contact the registrar, you cannot just wait for the next renewal
What are the annual self declarations a pharmacist has to carry out?
- Fitness to Practice Declarations
- Health Declarations
- Intent to practice as a pharmacist in GB
A registrant MUST have in force adequate and appropriate indemnity arrangements or the registrar can refuse entry or renewal of the entry in the register - true or false?
TURE
the GPhC can ask for information on the indemnity arrangements - it is now a part of the annual declarations
What are the GPhC professional indemnity requirements?
- insurance policy
- arrangements made by an employer for their employee
- arrangements obtained through a professional body/trade union/defence organisation
or it could be a combination of these
What information is kept on the GPhC register regarding pharmacy professionals?
- Title/Surname/Forenames/Postal Town
- Annotations
- Superintendent
- GPhC Registration Number
- Fitness to Practice Issues
the register is TRANSPARENT and any issues regarding the registrant will, be displayed
What information is kept on the GPhC register regarding pharmacy premises?
- Trading Name
- Owner’s Name
- Current Address
- Subject to notices/conditions
- Internet Pharmacy Logo
- GPhC Registration Number
What is the Internet Pharmacy Logo?
in order to sell UK medicines via a website
- have to be registered with the MHRA
- have to display the new EU common logo on every page of the website
