Pharmacies ‘to have new regulatory body’

The Department of Health (DoH) has announced that its proposals for a transformation in the regulation of the pharmacy industry have now been backed by an independent working party.

Chaired by Lord Carter of Coles, the group has expressed its support for the establishment of a General Pharmaceutical Council to regulate the industry, alongside the founding of an organisation for the pharmacy profession analogous to the Royal College for the provision of leadership.

Lord Carter thanked the Kings Fund for its work in aiding the short-term working party, in addition to recognising input from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland, urging the government to continue its partnership working in delivering these reforms.

“It is entirely appropriate that the regulation of the pharmacy profession falls in line with other healthcare professionals, by ensuring regulation is independent of professional leadership,” said Lord Carter.

He added that he welcomed the transformation of the pharmaceutical industry from one focused on product deliver to one of being a true clinical profession directly involved in patient care and public health.

In September 2006, health minister Andy Burnham announced that pharmacists with special interests would be given the opportunity to become experts in long-term conditions to facilitate increased treatment of patients within local communities.