General Pharmaceutical Council

31/10/2026

Using fake online pharmacies puts you at risk of serious harm.

More people than ever are buying medicines online, but fake online pharmacies can dispense medicines that are inappropriate, ineffectively dosed, or even counterfeit. These counterfeit medicines could include seriously dangerous substances such as cement and even arsenic.

This is why it's vitally important to make sure that any pharmacy you use is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.

✅ How to check an online pharmacy:

1. Find the pharmacy's GPhC registration number on its website.
2. Search for the pharmacy on the official GPhC register.
3. If the pharmacy is not listed, do not use it.

Taking one moment to check a pharmacy's registration could save your life.

Find out more about the dangers of fake online pharmacies >> https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/patients-and-public/standards-you-can-expect-using-pharmacy-services/check-registration-online-health-services

30/10/2026

A reminder for pharmacy owners and superintendent pharmacists:

When a pharmacy changes ownership, the new owner must notify the GPhC within 28 days. The form must be submitted after completion, signed by both previous and new owners, and the fee paid.

Missing the deadline means the pharmacy will be removed from the register, requiring closure and restoration.

If the new owner organisation doesn’t already own pharmacies, a superintendent pharmacist must also be nominated.

Full guidance and form: https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/pharmacies/registration-and-renewal/managing-pharmacys-registration/change-ownership

29/10/2026

Our colleagues at the University of Manchester are undertaking a study exploring pharmacists’ experiences and awareness of burn injuries affecting children. This study aims to better understand the current experiences, confidence levels, and perceived educational needs of community pharmacists in the assessment and management of burn injuries in children.

If you are interested in taking part in this study, please take a moment to complete their anonymised survey. It should take no longer than 10 minutes.

The survey is open until the end of December

Find out more and fill out the survey >> https://www.qualtrics.manchester.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_7376fVxC1BFR7gi?Q_CHL=qr&utm_id=97757_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demo0ebqzyfk&fbclid=IwY2xjawVMXDRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBWJyaWQRMTNwZDlETVM0cXBNcUk3SE9zcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeDTTYQwetXiyKzfwSUz_aGjK4Y5kThQN1wLem3Y-O8TJpDjQYsYZ7GvciFgU_aem_XtrMIWwOp2JazPBRl4tMrg

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

28/10/2026

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced new measures to improve how the risks of suicidal thoughts and behaviours, and persistent sexual dysfunction, are communicated to people taking antidepressants. The measures planned include updated patient information leaflets, a new patient card, and additional safety information to support discussions between patients and healthcare professionals.

Read the full MHRA drug safety update >>

New safety measures are now being implemented to improve how the risks of suicidal thoughts and behaviours and persistent sexual dysfunction are communicated to patients taking antidepressant medications.

27/10/2026

Join the GPhC Council and help shape the future of pharmacy regulation in Great Britain.

We are seeking a lay (non-registrant) member who lives or works wholly or mainly in Wales to join the GPhC Council, with a term of office beginning in April 2027.

As the GPhC's governing body, our Council sets the organisation's strategic direction, oversees performance and ensures we continue to uphold our values and statutory responsibilities in protecting patients and the public.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to pharmacy regulation at a time of significant change across health and social care, including the growing role of pharmacy in primary care, evolving prescribing responsibilities and advancements in digital healthcare.

We're looking for someone who can bring:

✅ A strong understanding of regulation, governance or professional frameworks
✅ A commitment to accountability, good governance and strategic leadership
✅ Excellent analytical thinking, judgement and decision-making skills
✅ The ability to collaborate effectively and contribute constructively to debate
✅ Integrity and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

If you're passionate about public service and want to help ensure pharmacy regulation continues to meet the needs of patients, the public and the professions we regulate, we'd love to hear from you.

Find out more and apply: https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/about-us/careers/council-member-lay-member

26/10/2026

The UK Pharmacy Research Advisory Group (PRAG) has launched a new strategy to boost pharmacists’ and pharmacy technicians’ involvement and leadership in research, as too few currently lead or deliver studies despite their vital NHS role.

The strategy focuses on building research skills and leadership, strengthening organisational support, fostering a research-positive culture, and embracing digital innovation.

It aims to embed research as a core, accessible part of every pharmacy career, improving research equity and patient outcomes, professional development and the UK’s wider research and life sciences ambitions.

The strategy is hosted by NHS England on behalf of PRAG and covers all four nations.

Read the new strategy on the NHS England website:

24/10/2026

We've published findings from our first annual perceptions survey of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

It's encouraging to see that the vast majority of respondents are familiar with our professional standards and feel confident using their professional judgement to deliver safe and effective care to patients.

Key findings from more than 5,300 respondents include:

✅ 97% are familiar with the professional standards for their role

✅ 94% are confident using their professional judgement in difficult or unclear situations

✅ 90% feel able to deliver safe and effective pharmacy services

✅ 75% agree our standards and guidance help them provide safe and effective care

The survey also highlighted areas where we can do better, including communications and engagement, revalidation, and raising awareness of our work on equality, diversity and inclusion.

We are committed to listening to pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and using their feedback to help shape our priorities, improve our work, and strengthen support for the professions.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the survey and shared their experiences.

Read the full findings: https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/about-us/news-and-updates/survey-finds-gphc-standards-support-pharmacists-and-pharmacy-technicians-delivering-safe-and-effective-care

23/10/2026

Today, the Health and Social Care Committee has published its second report from its inquiry into food and weight management. The report includes important recommendations to tackle the illegal supply of GLP-1 medicines and strengthen the safe provision of weight management services.

We welcome the Committee's recognition of the significant patient safety risks posed by the illegal supply of these medicines and its recommendations for coordinated action and a public awareness campaign. This reflects evidence we provided to the inquiry and recommendations set out in our recent report on fake online pharmacies.

We also welcome the recommendation that regulated online pharmacies and other digital providers should have secure access to relevant patient information and be able to update patient records. This can help support safer prescribing and better continuity of care for patients.

As the regulator for pharmacies, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Great Britain, we are committed to working with government, regulators and healthcare partners to help deliver these recommendations and protect the public through safe and effective pharmacy care.

Read more: https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/about-us/news-and-updates/gphc-responds-health-and-social-care-committees-second-report-its-inquiry-food-and-weight-management

22/10/2026

Our main website is now available again. Our apologies for any inconvenience while we completed vital maintenance.

22/10/2026

Our website is currently unavailable while we undertake vital maintenance work. Our myGPhC and our inspections site are still available, so you can still manage and renew your registration and complete revalidation. Please contact us at [email protected] with any urgent queries.