The GPhC has written to organisations representing community pharmacy owners to ask for feedback on the steps their members have taken to implement new guidance to ensure a safe and effective pharmacy team.

All pharmacy owners received a letter from Duncan Rudkin, chief executive of the GPhC, asking them to review the guidance and take the necessary steps to make sure they are meeting the standards in this area, as well as share feedback in relation to any challenges that pharmacies are facing in relation to staffing.

Mr Rudkin said: “Through our inspections of pharmacies and our other regulatory activities over recent months we have heard that some pharmacy professionals and pharmacy owners are continuing to experience challenges in relation to staffing in registered pharmacies… We want to understand any challenges pharmacies are facing in relation to staffing, how this may affect patient care and outcomes, and how owners are addressing these challenges so that patients continue to receive safe and effective care.”