Read our resources to help you with revalidation
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A guide to pharmacy organisations roles and responsibilities
Regulator
What we do
We regulate pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacies in Great Britain. It’s our role to make sure people receive safe and effective pharmacy care and have trust in pharmacy.
We:
- set standards for the education and training of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and the pharmacy team
- register and list publicly the pharmacy professionals and pharmacies that provide care to patients and the public
- set standards and guidance for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacies which describe how safe and effective care is delivered
- inspect pharmacies to make sure they are meeting our standards
- require pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to carry out and record revalidation activities annually, to demonstrate they are keeping up-to-date and reflecting on their practice
- investigate concerns about the people and pharmacies we register, and taking proportionate action to protect the public
- share our learning to help promote continuous improvement.
Registration (mandatory)
To practise in Great Britain, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians must be registered with us and have satisfied us that they meet our requirements.
Pharmacy technicians and pharmacists pay a fee to register and renew each year.
Any business or organisation (whether physical or online) selling pharmacy medicines (medicines brought ‘over the counter’) or 'prescription only medicines' must register with us. Pharmacies pay a fee to register and renew each year.
More about us
We are independent of government and are work is funded through the fees our registrants pay.
Most healthcare professionals are regulated in a similar way. For example, doctors are regulated by the General Medical Council. Find out about who regulates which healthcare professionals.
Our work, and that of other healthcare professionals’ regulators is overseen by the Professional Standards Authority
Membership organisations for pharmacy professionals, students and trainees
What they do
APTUK is the national professional leadership body for pharmacy technicians working in all pharmacy sectors across all countries in the UK.
APTUK provide advice, information and support to members, championing and safeguarding the pharmacy technician profession and enhancing education opportunities and scope of practice.
Membership
Pharmacy technicians pay a fee if they choose to become a member of APTUK.
Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians can join for free.
Members can:
- receive the Pharmacy Technicians Journal
- access a portal with information on hot topics, professional development, and revalidation support
- attend local branch meetings.
Resources to help with revalidation
Support organisations
Pharmacist Support is an independent charity providing a variety of support services to pharmacists, former pharmacists, and pharmacy students.
Pharmacist Support offer:
- free and confidential support services including financial assistance, specialist advice, addiction services, counselling, and peer support.
- the Wardley Wellbeing service, which provides evidence-based, practical information and guidance on wellbeing. There are free resources including videos, workshops, and printable posters on topics such as stress, anxiety and getting a good night’s sleep. Tips and tools to enhance wellbeing and develop skills such as assertiveness, resilience, and time management. As well as personal stories from students and pharmacists sharing their struggles, learnings, and coping mechanisms.
Membership bodies for pharmacies
AIMP is a membership organisation representing community pharmacies with multiple branches.
They provide advocacy and representation and member and partner support.
Pharmacy owners, industry suppliers and buying groups can all join AIMP.
National negotiating bodies
Community Pharmacy England represents community pharmacy businesses of all sizes in England and is responsible for negotiating the NHS Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) under which all community pharmacies operate.
They work with closely with everyone in the community pharmacy sector, including the Local Pharmaceutical Committees (LPCs), to meet their goals and to promote the value of community pharmacy.
Before 30 May 2023 the organisation was called the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC), and it retains this name in legislation.
Statutory Education Bodies
HEIW is the strategic workforce body for NHS Wales and a Special Health Authority.
They work to develop a skilled and sustainable workforce that improves care and population health.
They plan, commission, deliver and quality manage undergraduate and postgraduate education and training for a wide range of health professions.
Looking for help with revalidation?
Check out our revalidation resources page where you can find information from the GPhC, as well as details of other organisations who can help you.