The government is “progressing to the next phase” of its work examining the General Pharmaceutical Council’s (GPhC) enforcement powers, pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock has revealed.
In a letter to Labour MP and former pharmacist Sadik Al-Hassan, Kinnock said the DH has “engaged with key stakeholders” to “examine how existing mechanisms and enforcement powers are used in practice” and “what prevents regulators and NHS contract managers from taking more expedient action” against pharmacy owners.
“We are progressing to the next phase of this work, which will address whether we need to amend primary and/or secondary legislation,” he said.
Read more: GPhC to publish ‘transparent’ disqualification policy next year
He added that “as part of this” he has asked the GPhC to “assess any gaps it has in its powers to inform regulatory options”.
“Any changes to secondary legislation will be subject to public consultation or consultation with Community Pharmacy England, as appropriate. I will keep you and parliamentary colleagues updated.”
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Kinnock’s comments came in response to an earlier letter from Al-Hassan, which asked the minister about “strengthening regulatory oversight of pharmacy business owners” following the crisis around failing pharmacy chain Jhoots.
The company - which came under fire for a range of issues last year - was discussed as an urgent question in parliament in October, saw a number of its businesses go into administration, and was subject to NHS contract removals and GPhC enforcement action.
Read more: REVEALED: Allied takes over 68 more Jhoots pharmacies
Kinnock also confirmed that the GPhC, NHS England and integrated care boards are “working closely” with Jhoots pharmacy administrators and Allied Pharmacies to “expedite the transfer of ownership and reopen affected Jhoots pharmacies”.
Allied Pharmacies announced the purchase of dozens of ex-Jhoots pharmacies in November, before buying a further 68 branches the following month - bringing the total number of pharmacies taken over from the chain to 129.
“The GPhC is also working with the new owners to ensure compliance with the standards we expect of pharmacies and pharmacy professionals,” Kinnock added.
Read more: Allied takeover: Which ex-Jhoots branches have reopened so far?
It comes after the GPhC revealed that it is developing a “clear and transparent” policy on disqualification with the “ambition” to publish this summer.
In meeting papers for its December council meeting, the regulator said that while the GPhC “has powers to disqualify pharmacy owners”, it is “yet to develop an overarching policy on the use” of those powers.
