Key points

• The GPhC has failed to meet timeliness standards for fitness-to-practise (FtP) processes for six consecutive years, with further deterioration noted in 2023/2024
• Despite a 30% increase in FtP referrals, the GPhC has introduced measures, such as appointing a new chief enforcement officer and forming a case action team, to improve case processing times
• GPhC acknowledges ongoing delays, with many cases remaining open for over a year, but reports improvements in productivity and timeliness
  
  

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has failed for the sixth consecutive year to meet the regulatory standard for the timeliness of its fitness-to-practise (FtP) processes.

The Professional Standards Authority’s annual performance review for 2023/2024 reported that the GPhC has not met the timeliness standard for FtP cases since 2017/218 and noted further deterioration in key performance measures.

Despite a 30 per cent increase in FtP referrals, mainly related to low-level public complaints, the GPhC has implemented several measures to improve case processing times. These include appointing a new chief enforcement officer, forming a case action team and involving more clinical input. 

However, the report acknowledges that timeliness remains an issue, with many cases still open for over a year.

GPhC chief executive Duncan Rudkin said: “Ensuring a fair, proportionate and timely resolution of FtP concerns remains the highest priority for everyone at the GPhC.  

“We recognise that there is some way to go but we are now seeing positive and sustained improvements in productivity and timeliness for dealing with cases, and we are confident that this will continue.”