Patients have told the GPhC that the regulator should give clear guidance to pharmacy professionals on how they can achieve high standards of professionalism in pharmacy practice, so it is not ambiguous or difficult to interpret.

Patients responding to a survey conducted by The Patients Association this summer, released last week and submitted as part of the GPhC’s recent consultation, said that “standards must go further than calling for a ‘balance’ between pharmacy professionals personal values and beliefs and the care they give people, as this word is ambiguous and may be interpreted differently amongst professionals”.

“It is crucial that pharmacy professional’s personal values and beliefs should not affect patient care and if it presents a conflict for patient care, the pharmacy professional should allow another professional to engage with the patient,” said the organisation in a newsletter for members.  

“The GPhC should provide greater clarity in their new guidance and provide clear examples for professionals to follow.”

The majority of responses were supportive of the nine standards proposed by GPhC, the survey found, “agreeing that they were on the whole, clear and effectively set out the role of pharmacy professionals”, but that they should also communicate “the benefits of pharmacists positioning and the unique responsibilities they hold”.

However, a key concern raised by patients was the confidentiality of information. “Professionals must communicate to patients regarding confidentiality procedures and policies that are in place to protect them,” said The Patients Association.