The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) today (July 30) announced that its chief executive and registrar Duncan Rudkin has “decided to step down from his role”.
Rudkin, who has led the organisation for 15 years, will leave the organisation on December 31, it said.
The GPhC council will begin a search for a new chief executive and registrar and is “committed to ensuring a smooth transition”, it added.
“Now is the right time”
Rudkin said that it has been “a great privilege to lead the staff of the GPhC since its formation in 2010″.
“I am proud of the work the team has done to uphold standards of care and quality in pharmacy services, and to put patient safety at the heart of everything we do,” he added.
And he said that “now is the right time” for him to step down and “support a successful transition” to his successor, with a “strong new strategic plan in place” for the regulator.
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GPhC chair Gisela Abbam thanked Rudkin for his “invaluable contribution” to pharmacy regulation, “with patient safety as his focus” during his tenure.
“As [he] embarks on new ventures, we are presented with a unique opportunity to welcome a new chief executive and registrar who will champion the next phase of our journey,” she said.
“This transition is a pivotal moment for the GPhC, as we look to implement our ambitious five-year strategy,” she added.
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It comes as the GPhC yesterday revealed the results of the common registration assessment for pharmacists, after coming under fire for delays caused by technical issues.
And C+D exclusively revealed this week that the regulator plans to close almost half of its open disqualification cases against pharmacy owners - with the Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) calling for it to name those involved.
Read more: GPhC approves one-year 6% fee hike but pauses 2026 rise
Meanwhile, the regulator announced earlier this month that it will increase registration fees by 6% in 2025 but “reflect further” before deciding on an increase for next year.
And it revealed that it will pilot an “independent complaint handling services” to divert “low level” registrant concerns to a “more appropriate service”.
