GPhC Mock Inspections
GPhC pharmacy inspections are unannounced. Mock inspections ensure registered pharmacies are ready and prepared for an inspection.
General Pharmaceutical Council’s Approach to Inspections
Since 2019, GPhC inspections are unannounced. Inspectors follow a ‘show and tell’ approach to inspections, looking at all the pharmacy services being provided and involve the whole pharmacy team in the inspection.
The GPhC undertakes a range of inspection types:
- routine inspections;
- intelligence-led inspections; and
- themed reviews, where we visit a range of pharmacies to look in detail at a particular theme.
During an inspection, GPhC inspectors will gather and record evidence in a number of ways, including:
- Looking at written or documentary evidence
- Observing interactions with patients
- Asking questions and posing scenarios to staff
- Testing systems, processes and procedures
There are now two potential outcomes; standards met or standards not all met.
All of the standards will need to be met for a pharmacy to receive a ‘standards met’ outcome, and any pharmacy not meeting all of the standards will need to complete an improvement action plan, as before. The improvement action plan will be published alongside the report on the new inspections website.
The pharmacy will also receive one of four possible findings for each of the five principles within the standards for registered pharmacies. The four possible findings are:
- ‘excellent practice’
- ‘good practice’
- ‘standards met’
- ‘standards not all met’
Trends
GPhC analysis and evidence shows
- Standards relating to staff skills, monitoring safety and quality of services, managing risks, culture and safe and effective delivery of services were most commonly rated good.
- Standards relating to managing medicines and devices, managing risks, monitoring safety and quality of services, keeping records and safe and effective delivery of services were most commonly found to be not met.
GPhC Enforcement Plan
The GPhC have a number of different enforcement options available to it “to secure compliance with” its standards. These range from improvement action plans to statutory enforcement powers, including improvement notices and conditions on registered pharmacy premises.
Mock Inspections
Whether your pharmacy is facing an inspection by the General Pharmaceutical Council, working on a GPhC improvement plan, looking to proactively address regulatory issues or concerns and/or part of your businesses due diligence, mock inspections can hold important benefits.
Our legal consultants will engage with you, understand your individual needs and circumstances. We will undertake the inspection based on GPhC standards and its approach to inspections.
Our written report will be clear, understandable and clear on the areas where standards are met, but also those areas not met and where improvement is required.
Our Services
Disclaimer: This article is for guidance purposes only. Kings View Chambers accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for any action taken, or not taken, in relation to this article. You should seek the appropriate legal advice having regard to your own particular circumstances.
