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The trade association representing large pharmacy chains has said there should be no minimum requirements for pharmacists to act as Responsible Pharmacist as it criticised proposals put forward by the sector regulator.

Responding to the General Pharmaceutical Council’s consultation on draft rules and standards for RPs and superintendent pharmacists, the Company Chemists’ Association argued setting minimum experience thresholds for RPs would be “disproportionate” and cause “significant disruption”.

The CCA raised affordability concerns, as with some pharmacists unable to fill the role of RP “some pharmacies will be required to employ two pharmacists,” which would lead to an “artificial shortage” in the workforce and limit patients’ access to services

The trade body said the skills and responsibilities of RPs should instead be covered as part of pharmacists’ undergraduate training, adding that if university courses do not currently equip pharmacists with the required knowledge it raises “fundamental questions”.

The CCA also said it disagrees with the GPhC‘s proposal to maintain the present ‘one pharmacy’ rule for RPs, claiming that while it is appropriate in “the vast majority of circumstances” it may be necessary at times to have a pharmacist act as RP remotely or for more than one pharmacy.

Flexibility is needed in circumstances such as extreme weather events, the CCA argued, adding that technology “has advanced significantly” since the rule was first put in place and there are now more risk mitigation options than before.

The CCA commented: “The proposed rules and standards are not aligned with how pharmacy services are currently delivered, particularly across businesses operating multiple pharmacy premises.

“The additional bureaucracy and restrictions proposed in these rules and standards risks disrupting service continuity.

“The GPhC should consider how existing practice, which utilises advances in technology, established governance frameworks and professional judgement, can continue to evolve whilst maintaining safe pharmacy services.”