GPhC consults on English language requirements for all pharmacy professionals

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is consulting on draft guidance relating to the evidence that pharmacists or pharmacy technicians will have to provide to demonstrate that they have the necessary knowledge of the English language to practise safely and effectively

The consultation also sets out how the GPhC proposes to check they have met the requirements before they can join the register and practise in Great Britain.

This follows recent changes to legislation which will give the GPhC new powers to check that pharmacists who qualified in the European Economic Area have the necessary knowledge of English. This will enable the GPhC to better protect patients by ensuring only those who can communicate effectively in English can work in Great Britain.

The GPhC will also have new powers to investigate a registrant’s fitness to practise in cases where a pharmacy professional’s knowledge of English may pose a serious risk to patient safety.

Duncan Rudkin, chief executive of the GPhC, said:

“These important changes will help us provide further assurance to patient and the public that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can practise safely, by making sure that only those who can communicate effectively in English are able to practise in Great Britain.

“This consultation is part of our effort to implement the legal requirement as quickly as possible. And I would like to emphasise that employers continue to be responsible for checking the language skills of any pharmacy professional they are planning to employ.”

The GPhC is also consulting on changes to its rules, including changes to strengthen the existing requirement on registrants to have appropriate indemnity arrangements. And to avoid conflicts of interest arising from common membership of Appeals Committee and Fitness to Practise Committee panels.

Both consultations will run for 12 weeks and will close on 17 December 2015.