The GPhC has outlined plans to update and improve the way it inspects pharmacies due to commence in January 2025.  What does this mean for you and your pharmacy? 

A summary of the proposed changes:

• More targeted inspection activity to focus on areas of higher risk by employing a shorter, focused inspection methodology for some routine inspections.
• The ability to carry out re-inspections at any time up to six months plus two weeks from the date of initial inspection, resulting in more timely follow-up when standards have not been met.
• Taking a more flexible and risk-based approach to when and how we carry out inspections for newly-registered pharmacies
• Shorter, clearer inspection reports and improved standardisation of approach across the inspectorate.

Inspection methodology update

• Shorter, targeted inspections – replaces assurance visits which did not result in a published report.  As a consequence, the GPhC anticipates that these improved processes will result in a greater volume of (focused/full) inspections being undertaken.  These shorter, targeted inspections  will also result in shorter, clearer inspection reports, further resulting in reduced time taken to “generate/quality assure, and improved standardisation of approach across the inspectorate.”
• Re-inspections – The ability to carry out re-inspections at any time up to six months plus two weeks from the date of initial inspection will, the GPhC said, “result in more timely follow up when standards have not been met and improving the currency and accuracy of information for pharmacy owners, pharmacy professionals, and the public.”
• Desktop re-inspections – The GPhC are adopting “desktop re-inspections where an improvement action plan has been issued and assurance can be provided through submission of documentation or other evidence electronically.”

Time to first routine inspection

GPhC data shows a greater proportion of pharmacies fail to meet all standards at their first inspection.  The therefore places substantial emphasis on the first inspection as it “has a greater positive impact in ensuring safety and driving improvement.”

The data shows that this is particularly the case with online services.  Pharmacies that offer online services were more likely not to meet all standards at their first inspection (66%).  The data further shows that “small pharmacies” with online services have an even steeper drop off in performance the larger the gap between initial registration and first inspection.

In response, the GPhC is proposing that first inspections be prioritised within 12 months of registration based on a pharmacy’s risk profile, or within 6 months for online pharmacies. For a non-online pharmacy, the inspector will determine during the registration inspection whether the first inspection should be conducted before 12 months based on information we hold about the pharmacy and the type of services being provided.

The planned changes are due to be implemented during January 2025.