As part of maintaining professional vigilance and regulatory compliance across pharmacy services, PCL would like to draw attention to several critical issues recently highlighted by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). These matters have direct implications for governance, professional standards, and risk management within pharmacy practice. Pharmacy clients are advised to review the following areas carefully and assess any actions required within your operational remit.
1. Internal Diversion of Medicines by Pharmacy Staff
Recent investigations by the GPhC have identified instances where staff members have diverted medicinal stock from within registered premises—either through fraudulent ordering or outright theft.
PCL’s Recommendation:
Pharmacy owners and Responsible Pharmacists should immediately review their current stock control processes, controlled drug registers, and access protocols. Internal audits should be conducted periodically, and whistleblowing mechanisms reinforced. Inspectors have provided case-based examples of effective safeguards on the GPhC website, which may support best practice benchmarking.
2. Address Verification for Remote Dispensing Services
A complaint received by the GPhC has underscored the risk of inappropriate supply, where medication was dispatched to a hospital inpatient via an online pharmacy. This event highlights the need for more robust address verification processes when supplying medicines remotely.
PCL’s Recommendation:
All pharmacy teams involved in distance-selling or mail-order services should revisit SOPs for patient address verification. Particular scrutiny should be applied to addresses linked to institutional settings (e.g., hospitals, care homes) and to repeated use of a single address under different patient names. Training for all staff involved in dispatch operations should be updated accordingly. Refer to GPhC’s guidance on online pharmacy operations for specific expectations.
3. Overseas Supply of Medicines on Private Prescription
There has been an increase in regulatory concerns related to UK pharmacies supplying medicines overseas. Issues include breaches of foreign regulatory law and delivery of compromised pharmaceutical products due to inappropriate packaging or transit conditions.
PCL’s Recommendation:
Pharmacies engaging in cross-border supply must implement due diligence checks regarding the legal status of medicines in destination countries. The choice of packaging, courier, and temperature-controlled logistics (where applicable) must align with manufacturer guidance. Additionally, always consult the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) list of restricted exports to avoid impacting domestic supply chains.
4. Non-Compliant Advertising of Prescription-Only Medicines (POMs)
In a joint initiative with the MHRA and ASA, the GPhC has taken enforcement action against pharmacies promoting POMs in breach of advertising laws. Notably, recent rulings involved weight-management products, where promotional content (even without naming specific medicines) contravened legislation.
PCL’s Recommendation:
All marketing and patient engagement activities must be reviewed to ensure alignment with MHRA advertising standards. Particular attention should be paid to digital content referencing GLP-1 agonists, weight loss injections, or the use of visual cues (e.g., injection pens) that imply prescription treatments. This applies equally to pharmacy-owned websites, social media platforms, and third-party marketing partners.
Final Note
These issues are not isolated events but part of an evolving risk landscape within pharmacy practice. PCL recommends that all pharmacy leaders, including Superintendents and Pharmacy Owners, assess their governance frameworks and ensure front-line teams are adequately trained and supported to operate in full compliance with regulatory expectations. As always we are on hand to offer whatever support you might need. Please contact us at the usual email address: [email protected]