General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) lawyers

GPhC investigations

An investigation by the GPhC can have serious implications to your practice. While the investigation is ongoing you may be referred to a hearing before the fitness to practise committee to consider an interim order. If the committee determine that an order is necessary you may be suspended from practice on an interim basis or made the subject of conditions which restrict your registration.

At the conclusion of an investigation your case may be referred to the investigating committee. The committee has wide ranging powers which include taking no further action, issuing a warning, accepting undertakings, referring your case to the fitness to practise committee and directing that criminal proceedings should be commenced against you.

If your case is referred to the GPhC’s fitness to practice committee and allegations are either admitted or found proven then there are a range of sanctions available. These include issuing warnings, imposing conditions of practice, suspension and removal from the GPhC register. We can advise on the best strategy to adopt at your hearing. Where allegations are denied we can prepare and present your defence case. Where allegations are admitted we can assist you with preparing evidence of mitigation and remediation.

GPhC fitness to practise proceedings

Our lawyers can assist at all stages of proceedings, including:

• Applications for professional registration and appeals against decisions
• Advising on investigations and, where appropriate, interviews under caution
• Representation at interim orders hearings
• Written submissions to the investigating committee
• Representation before the fitness to practise committee
• Appeals against fitness to practice committee decisions

If you are facing proceedings before the GPhC then our specialist lawyers can assist. If you would like to speak to a member of the team, in confidence, please call 01616 966 229. Alternatively please complete our online enquiry form and a member of the team will contact you as a matter of urgency.

GPhC case study

We acted on behalf of a manager of a pharmacy who was being investigated by the GPhC in respect of allegations that they had practised as a pharmacist whilst being unregistered. We assisted our client in responding to questions under caution. Some admissions were made, and submissions were put forward as to why a prosecution would not be a proportionate response in the circumstances. The GPhC agreed to take no further action and guidance was provided to our client.