2022 No. 697
The General Pharmaceutical Council (Amendment) Rules Order of Council 2022
Made
Laid before Parliament
Laid before the Scottish Parliament
Coming into force
At the Council Chamber, Whitehall on the 21st day of June 2022
By the Lords of Her Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council
The General Pharmaceutical Council has made the General Pharmaceutical Council (Amendment) Rules 2022, which are set out in the Schedule to this Order, in exercise of the powers conferred by articles 61(1), (2)(a) and (6)(b) and 66(1) of the Pharmacy Order 20101.
In accordance with article 66(3) of that Order, the General Pharmaceutical Council has consulted such persons or organisations, as it considered appropriate.
In accordance with article 66(4) of that Order, the Rules shall not come into force until approved by Order of the Privy Council.
Citation and commencement1
This Order may be cited as the General Pharmaceutical Council (Amendment) Rules Order of Council 2022 and comes into force on 6th October 2022.
Privy Council Approval2
Their Lordships, having taken the Rules as set out in the Schedule to this Order into consideration, are pleased to, and do, approve them.
SCHEDULEThe General Pharmaceutical Council (Amendment) Rules 2022
The General Pharmaceutical Council makes these Rules in exercise of the powers conferred by articles 61(1), (2)(a) and (6)(b) and 66(1) of the Pharmacy Order 20102.
In accordance with article 66(3) of that Order the Pharmaceutical General Council has consulted such persons or organisations as it considered appropriate.
Citation and commencement1
These Rules may be cited as the General Pharmaceutical Council (Amendment) Rules 2022 and come into force on 6thOctober 2022.
Amendment of the General Pharmaceutical Council (Appeals Committee Rules) Order of Council 20102
1
The General Pharmaceutical Council (Appeals Committee) Rules 20103 are amended as follows.
2
In rule 2 (interpretation)—
a
after the definition of “appellant” insert—
“attend” means—
- a
to be physically present at a meeting or hearing, or,
- b
to be present at a meeting or hearing by teleconference or video link;
b
after the definition of “parties” insert—
“present” includes being in a meeting or hearing by teleconference or video link and “presence” is to be construed accordingly;
3
After rule 2 insert—
Virtual meetings and hearings2A
At the discretion of the chair, meetings or hearings of the Committee arranged under these Rules may be conducted by teleconference or video link.
4
In rule 6 (notice of hearing), for sub-paragraph (a), substitute—
a
state—
i
the date, time and venue of the hearing, or
ii
when the hearing is to be conducted by teleconference or video link, the date and time of the hearing and instructions on how to access the hearing;
5
After rule 16(4) (attendance of the public at hearings), insert—
5
Reference to a hearing under this rule includes hearings conducted by teleconference or video link.
Amendment to the General Pharmaceutical Council (Fitness to Practise and Disqualification etc Rules) Order of Council 20103
1
The General Pharmaceutical Council (Fitness to Practise and Disqualification etc) Rules 20104 are amended as follows.
2
In rule 2 (interpretation)—
a
after the definition of “applicant concerned” insert—
“attend” means—
- a
to be physically present at a meeting or hearing, or,
- b
to be present at a meeting or hearing by teleconference or video link;
b
after the definition of “prescribed fee” insert—
“present” includes being present at a meeting or hearing by teleconference or video link, except in the phrase “present their case”, and “presence” is to be construed accordingly;
3
After rule 2 (interpretation), insert—
Virtual meetings and hearings2A
At the discretion of the chair, meetings and hearings of the Committee arranged under these rules may be conducted by teleconference or video link.
4
In rule 16 (notices of hearing other than interim order hearings), for sub-paragraph 2(a), substitute—
a
state—
i
the date, time and venue of the hearing, or
ii
when the hearing is to be conducted by teleconference or video link the date and time of the hearing and instructions on how to access the hearing;
5
In rule 17 (interim order notices and court referrals), for sub-paragraph 2(a), substitute—
a
state—
i
the date, time and venue of the hearing, or
ii
when the hearing is to be conducted by teleconference or video link, the date and time of the hearing and instructions on how to access the hearing;
6
After rule 39(4) (attendance of the public at hearings), insert—
5
Reference to a hearing under this rule includes hearings conducted by teleconference or video link.
Given under the common seal of the General Pharmaceutical Council this 12th day of May 2022.
Gisela AbbamChair of the Council(This note is not part of the Order)