Consultation documentWhile the pharmacy profession is held in high esteem, it is important to ensure that regulation of this sector is able to keep pace with expected change aligned with the HSC transformational agenda in an efficient manner. It is considered that to operate effectively in the public interest, a modern regulator must be totally and demonstrably independent from the profession it regulates. It must also be impartial, and be seen to be impartial, in its decisions and its actions.
As such, a number of proposals have been developed which seek to reform the current dual role of regulation and leadership performed by the Society. The options proposed are:
- Do nothing. The Society remains responsible for undertaking both the regulatory and professional leadership functions;
- Separate the regulatory and professional leadership functions of the Society and establish a separate Northern Ireland-based arrangement for the regulation of the pharmacy profession; and
- Separate the regulatory and professional leadership functions of the Society and establish arrangements for the regulation of the pharmacy profession on a UK-wide basis.
Your views are sought on the proposals contained in the consultation document and a response questionnaire has been provided separately below.
This consultation has also been published alongside an initial equality screening of the Section 75 categories as well as an initial regulatory impact assessment of the proposals.