GPhC faces complaints over fitness to practise handling, investigation delays and communication

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) received a series of complaints during 2025/26 relating to its regulatory functions, including concerns about fitness to practise investigations, case handling and communication with registrants, according to reporting by Chemist+Druggist.

The complaints reportedly highlight dissatisfaction among some pharmacists and pharmacy professionals with aspects of the regulator’s fitness to practise processes. Concerns raised included the length of investigations, communication during cases and the impact that ongoing proceedings can have on registrants while matters remain unresolved.

Fitness to practise remains one of the GPhC’s most scrutinised regulatory functions, with investigations playing a key role in protecting patients and maintaining public confidence in pharmacy professionals. However, the handling and duration of cases continue to attract attention from registrants, representative bodies and stakeholders across the profession.

The GPhC has previously said it is committed to improving its processes and ensuring concerns are managed fairly, proportionately and efficiently. The regulator has also undertaken work in recent years to modernise aspects of its fitness to practise framework and reduce delays within the system.

The latest complaints come amid wider debate across healthcare regulation about how fitness to practise investigations are conducted, balancing public protection with the wellbeing of professionals subject to regulatory scrutiny.

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