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Mock inspections can help boost staff confidence by familiarising the team with the inspection process, writes Mandeep Mudhar, head of Alphega Pharmacy

Like many businesses, pharmacies are subject to strict regulations and requirements – which play a crucial role in ensuring patient safety and maintaining trust in healthcare systems. The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), conducts inspections to ensure that pharmacies are well managed and “fit to practice”. There is no set frequency of standard inspections from the GPhC, so it is important that your pharmacy consistently meets expectations and maintains compliance at all times.

As you might expect, keeping your pharmacy on track with ever-evolving regulations can be challenging. To support members in navigating this complexity, Alphega Pharmacy offers a tailored service designed to help pharmacies consistently operate at their best.

Alphega members have access to this valuable support through mock inspections. These can be scheduled at any time, allowing members to proactively assess their compliance with standards set out by the GPhC. Mock inspections are particularly useful for identifying non-compliant areas or opportunities for improvement before a real inspection occurs, helping pharmacies stay prepared and confident.

Mock inspections are conducted by a business mentor (BM), either at the pharmacist’s request or when a BM identifies potential issues during a routine visit. In such cases, the BM may recommend a mock inspection to address concerns and highlight areas for improvement. During the inspection, the BM follows a structured report covering the five GPhC principles, asking targeted questions under each principle to assess whether the pharmacy meets the required standards.

These inspections offer significant benefits to members. They help boost staff confidence by familiarising the team with the inspection process; encourage safe and appropriate working practices; and reinforce the importance of ongoing compliance. Most importantly, they provide members with constructive feedback and contribute to improved patient safety.

Running a pharmacy demands consistent diligence, and mock inspections provide a solution to help members proactively address compliance, build staff confidence and maintain high standards.