Tips on how pharmacy teams can stay ahead in the coming year.

I am pleased to announce the release of the NPA “Pharmacy deadline tracker 2018: Quarter 1 (January–March)”. This resource, available on the NPA website, will help pharmacy teams to organise and plan, each quarter, by highlighting the key deadlines and events for your pharmacy. 

2018 is likely to be an extremely busy year with the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the General Pharmaceutical Council’s (GPhC) revalidation process for pharmacy professionals. In addition, there are several interesting public health campaigns that your pharmacy can participate in.

Key dates in the first quarter, highlighted in the NPA deadline tracker, include:

GPhC revalidation (England, Scotland and Wales)

The GPhC will be implementing a new revalidation framework for pharmacy professionals that will replace the current structure for evidencing continuing professional development (CPD). This will be implemented on 30 March 2018.

A webinar I presented on 31 January 2018, is still available on the NPA website. It focuses on the key changes of the new framework and how it builds on the current CPD framework with the addition of two new elements – a peer discussion and a reflective account.

As further information on revalidation is made available, the NPA will be producing relevant resources to support members.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Pharmacy teams should be aware of the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on 25 May. The GDPR may have significant effects on the way pharmacies handle personal data, although the full implications and requirements of GDPR on community pharmacy remain unclear. In anticipation

of its implementation, I issued a superintendent update and resource on GDPR and an individual’s rights on 18 January 2018. Previous superintendent updates and NPA resources on GDPR can be found on the NPA website.

Public health campaigns – throughout 2018

As part of the quality payments scheme last year, a number of pharmacies have achieved Healthy Living Pharmacy (HLP) Level 1 status. Pharmacies should continue to participate in relevant national and local public health campaigns as part of their NHS Terms of Service and HLP status. The NPA deadline tracker provides dates for 2018 to help your pharmacy organise events and be part of campaigns.

Other key dates included in the NPA deadline tracker are bank holidays and submission deadlines.

I will continue to publish the deadline tracker for each quarter in 2018, and the NPA Pharmacy team will produce further resources and offer support to our members.

For further information please contact the NPA pharmacy team on 01727 891800 or email at
pharmacyservices@npa.co.uk.

Leyla Hannbeck MSc, MRPharmS

NPA Chief Pharmacist