The General Pharmaceutical Council has hired consultancy firm Grant Thornton to identify ways to improve the regulator’s revalidation framework. 

As part of its efforts to review the current revalidation process and framework, it has launched an online survey seeking the views of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who have submitted revalidation since October 2022.

The survey asks registrants about their experience of revalidation and the impact of the process, as well as asking for input on how the process can be improved.

For example, the survey asks whether the GPhC should “be prescriptive” in asking registrants to focus on specific areas such as leadership and diversity and inclusion in the reflective account, and whether there should be “additional requirements for pharmacists who are prescribing to demonstrate their prescribing competency”.

“It is now five years since the revalidation framework was introduced,” said the GPhC. “Since then, we have seen a rapid development of pharmacy and the development of new service models.

“The GPhC is looking to ensure that the current revalidation process is effective and meets the needs of professionals and the public.

“The Grant Thornton review will contribute to the development of potential changes to the revalidation framework.

“There will be no changes introduced before July 2025 and any new proposals will be consulted on fully.”

The survey is open until September 8.