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The General Pharmaceutical Council has today announced its chief executive Duncan Rudkin will step down from the role in December after 15 years.

Rudkin became the regulator’s first chief executive in September 2010 after a split in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain which led to the creation of the GPhC and Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) as pharmacy’s regulator and professional leadership body respectively.

The GPhC, who revealed Rudkin (pictured) will leave on December 31, said its council will start looking for a new chief executive and registrar “and is committed to ensuring a smooth transition”.

Critics and supporters will have their own views

Critics will point to the GPhC's struggles on Rudkin's watch, notably its inability to promptly clear its backlog of fitness-to-practise cases, with some investigations lasting over three years, as well as well documented problems it had holding the registration assessment and claims by the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) that the GPhC has been too soft on the multiples.

Yesterday, some pharmacist trainees who sat June’s registration assessment were unable to access their results after what the GPhC described as “technical issues” on its digital platform, just days after announcing it will increase registration fees from September.

Others will say the GPhC achieved some notable milestones during Rudkin's tenure, such as modernising education and training, strengthening regulation and guidance and promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.

GPhC chair Gisela Abbam said Rudkin “made a significant contribution to pharmacy regulation, with patient safety as his focus” and insisted his departure was “a pivotal moment for the GPhC” as it implements its five-year strategy.

“On behalf of the Council and staff of the GPhC, I would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to him for his invaluable contribution to pharmacy regulation,” Abbam said.

“As Duncan embarks on new ventures, we are presented with a unique opportunity to welcome a new chief executive and registrar who will champion the next phase of our journey.”

The PDA's director of pharmacy Jay Badenhorst told Independent Community Pharmacist it looked forward “to engaging constructively with the incoming chief executive and registrar, continuing our commitment to advancing the interests of pharmacists and upholding professional standards across the sector”.

“We recognise the importance of this leadership transition and the contributions (Rudkin) made during his tenure,” he said.

RPS chief executive Paul Bennett said: “Duncan Rudkin established and led the General Pharmaceutical Council with integrity. I’d like to thank him for his contribution over the past 15 years. As he prepares to step down, we wish him every success in the future and look forward to working constructively with his successor to continue advancing the role of pharmacy in improving patient care.”

Rudkin said it had “been a great privilege to lead the staff of the GPhC since its formation in 2010” and added: “I am proud of the work the team have done to uphold standards of care and quality in pharmacy services, and to put patient safety at the heart of everything we do.

“With a strong new strategic plan in place, now is the right time for me to step down and support a successful transition to a new chief executive and registrar.”