The process of applying to join the register “has been straightforward for the majority of people”, the regulator said in its council papers. The papers were published earlier this week (July 20), ahead of the regulator's meeting today (July 23).

As of July 17 – the last date on which those wanting to join the GPhC register from August 1 could submit their applications – more than 1,600 pre-reg trainees had applied to join the provisional register, a GPhC spokesperson told C+D yesterday (July 22).

“A number of trainees” were affected by a “specific technical issue for a short period of time”, the GPhC also said. The issue – which prevented some pre-registration trainees from accessing their final declaration on the application form for the provisional register – has now been resolved, the spokesperson told C+D.

Pre-registration trainees can join the provisional register free of charge – provided they meet the GPhC requirements, such as having “successfully completed 52 weeks pre-registration training in 2020” and not having previously failed the GPhC registration exam.

The provisional register will remain open for trainees to join until July next year.

Responsible pharmacist

When setting out its criteria for provisionally registering this year’s trainees in May, the GPhC said pre-registration pharmacists would also be able to serve as the responsible pharmacist.

The regulator specified in its latest council papers that if a provisionally registered pharmacist works as the responsible pharmacist, “the responsible pharmacist notice must display this”.

Provisionally registered pharmacists might also need to “explain their status to patients [and or] members of the public” and their employers must ensure they are aware of this requirement, the council papers explained.

In order to remain on the register, provisionally registered pharmacists must sit and pass the registration assessment “at the first opportunity if they are fit to do so”.

The GPhC does not yet have a date for when its registration assessment – which this year will be held online for the first time – will take place, the spokesperson told C+D. All 2020 GPhC registration assessments were postponed in March due to COVID-19.