At a recent Parliamentary event attended by Stephen Kinnock MP, Minister of State for Care, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) launched its Strategic Plan for 2025-2030, which sets out the direction over the next five years to ensure regulation evolves to reflect the changing pharmacy landscape.

As the independent regulator for pharmacy professionals in Great Britain, the GPhC aims to maintain high standards of care, ensure public trust and enable innovation while protecting patient safety. This five-year strategy sets out three strategic aims focused on empowering pharmacy professionals, collaborating with partners for public protection and strengthening the organisation’s regulatory effectiveness.

As the pharmacy profession undergoes significant transformation, these developments come both opportunities and regulatory challenges. The expanded clinical role for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians, increasing use of digital services and a greater emphasis on integrated care mean that the GPhC need to incorporate several competing factors to ensure that professionals are supported and services remain safe. The strategy recognises the urgent need to respond to these changes while also addressing persistent workforce pressures, wellbeing concerns and the impact of digital innovation.

The first core aim of the strategy is the continuation of the work to support Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians to deliver trusted, safe and effective care. This includes recognising the realities of frontline practice, offering clearer guidance and acting swiftly and proportionately when standards are not met. It also places emphasis on creating conditions where pharmacy teams are supported to uphold standards, promote wellbeing and respond to patient needs with competence and confidence.

The second aim focuses on working closely with other healthcare regulators, professional bodies and education providers to ensure seamless protection for patients across systems and care settings. By aligning standards and fostering joint approaches, the strategy seeks to ensure that regulation does not become a barrier to safe progress. Pharmacy professionals will also be supported to work more effectively in multidisciplinary teams through consistent and integrated regulation.

The final strategic aim is focused on building a skilled, agile and digitally enabled organisation internally. This involves investing in its people, improving technology and ensuring value for money. The focus will be on modernising practice and processes, particularly around fitness-to-practise and ensuring financial sustainability to deliver high-quality regulation.

The plans have been well received by leaders and representatives from organisations across healthcare and pharmacy, including David Webb, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer at NHS England, who cemented his support:

“As we continue to reform services and build a health service fit for the future, we welcome this new strategic plan which will support and empower the expanding roles of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to provide safe, effective and trusted care at the heart of their communities.”

The 2025-30 plan will aim to translate these strategic aims into action with detailed programmes with measurable outcomes. It will act as a roadmap to guide implementation to support safe, effective pharmacy care. As the clinical pharmacy community prepares for change, the plan presents an opportunity to champion professional development, collaborate across systems and contribute to shaping the regulatory landscape.

To read the full strategy, follow the link here: https://assets.pharmacyregulation.org/files/2025-06/gphc-strategic-plan-2025-30.pdf?VersionId=TRyvrOg81bY5U2.n0aZV6KflbL3Z.6en