The High Court has refused the Pharmacists' Defence Association's (PDA) application to seek a Judicial Review of the new General Pharmaceutical Council's (GPhC) professional standards.

Following today's judgment by the Honourable Mr Justice Singh, the GPhC confirmed it would move forward with the implementation of the standards for pharmacy professionals – due to come into effect in May – and will shortly begin a programme of communications and engagement with pharmacy professionals about the new standards.

In the statement the GPhC also maintained that the standards would play an important role in supporting the delivery of safe and effective care, and in upholding public confidence in pharmacy. 

Commenting on the outcome Mark Koziol, PDA chairman, said:  "Although it did not proceed to a full Judicial Review, we are satisfied with the outcome as the determination from the judge has given us the legal clarity to resist any inappropriate regulatory activity from the GPhC. It also provides support to employee pharmacists, as the decision will help in employment disputes related to behaviour.”