In an announcement today (December 8), the GPhC said that from March 30 pharmacy professionals will “have to demonstrate that they are regularly reflecting on their learning and practice”.

They will have to submit four clinical professional development (CPD) records every year, along with another two CPD elements: “a record of a peer discussion and a record of a reflective account”.

Next year, registrants with a registration expiry date of December 31, 2018 will be asked to submit four CPD records when renewing their registration, while “the first tranche” of those whose registration expiry date is December 31, 2019 will have to submit all six records when renewing.

All registrants will receive information from the regulator in February 2018 to explain the process, the GPhC said, and there will be a new online portal to submit documents.

Revalidation "will enhance the public's confidence"

GPhC chair Nigel Clarke said: “We believe that the introduction of revalidation will further assure users of pharmacy services that pharmacy professionals will provide them with safe and effective care throughout their careers.”

The consultation on revalidation was informed by a three-year development programme, and received over 1,800 responses from pharmacy professionals.

The director of professional development at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Catherine Duggan, said: “We support this focus on reflection and learning for all registrants and believe it will further enhance the public’s confidence and trust in the profession.

“Revalidation will further enable pharmacists to demonstrate their capabilities and be recognised for excellence in healthcare provision,” she added.

C+D's clinical and CPD editor Kristoffer Stewart explored what a “peer discussion” and a “reflective account” mean for pharmacy professionals here.