The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has responded to the General Pharmaceutical Council's (GPhC) draft Standards for Chief Pharmacists. These standards outline the responsibilities and qualifications necessary for Chief Pharmacists to ensure safe and effective pharmacy services.

The draft standards are a response to new legislation regarding accidental errors in hospitals, where having a registered Chief Pharmacist meeting these standards is crucial.

In the response, the RPS highlighted:

• Organisations should not have the option to choose whether they have a chief pharmacist role. It should be mandatory to ensure transparency for patients, the public and pharmacy staff.
• Meeting these standards may strengthen pharmacy governance, but they might not provide the framework to fully support staff in reporting and learning from errors
• The standards are more of a set of principles rather than a governance framework
• The Chief Pharmacist’s leadership role is vital and should be a fundamental standard, as outlined in Standard 1
• The standards should emphasise creating an inclusive culture free from bullying and discrimination, with a zero-tolerance policy and celebration of diversity

Professor Claire Anderson, RPS President, said: “Chief Pharmacists have a vital role in supporting patient safety and pharmacy governance and should not be seen as an optional extra. Support in error reporting and a culture of safety and inclusivity is also vital for delivering safe and effective pharmacy services.”

Read our full response here.

The consultation is open until Tuesday 16^th April. 

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