Protecting the public and supporting pharmacy professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic

Today the NHS has called upon former pharmacy professionals, alongside doctors, nurses and other health professionals, to re-register and help in tackling the greatest global health threat in the history of the health service. The plans are part of the extensive work to date to prepare for the likely health effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

We have powers to temporarily register fit, proper and suitably experienced people to act as pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to help protect public health in the event of an emergency. 

To help protect the public and support the pharmacy profession during the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are contacting former pharmacy professionals who have left the register in the last three years with up to date skills and experience and who may be able to help. This includes people who have voluntarily removed themselves or were removed for non-renewal from the GPhC register in the last three years.  These individuals would be included on the temporary register and could practise in Great Britain if they chose to do so.  

We will be contacting people directly to explain what this means, asking individuals to determine whether they wish to work as a pharmacy professional during this emergency. Those choosing to return to practise should only do so if they are fit to do so; considering their health, skills, knowledge, experience and personal circumstances.

GPhC Chief Executive Duncan Rudkin said:

“These are challenging times and the GPhC is committed to playing its part in helping to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We realise people may have questions about the temporary registration process and we will be publishing more information on this soon. 

“We will continue to work closely with the NHS, Chief Pharmaceutical Officers across Great Britain, the Department for Health and Social Care and other regulators to help meet the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic together.”