Yes. We are committed to continually learning from and reviewing the processes that we have in place within the PSI, with the aim of improving our effectiveness as a regulator. However, the Fitness to Practise process is a statutory one, the steps of which are strictly set out in the Pharmacy Act 2007 and as a legislative process, we are bound to follow it and do not have any discretion to deviation from it. Where we can, we try and make the process as efficient and clear as possible for all participants and review all complaints guidance and Committee procedure documents on an annual basis at least to ensure they remain fit for purpose. Whilst we have over time, identified areas which we feel could improve the process and experience both for complainants, registrants and the regulator since the Pharmacy Act was first enacted in 2007, and have secured some legislative change in the meantime which has brought about improvement, many changes we would like to see, still require further legislative change.
This call for legislative change applies right across the PSI in other areas such as registration, inspections, and recognition of qualifications, and to this end, in 2023, we published a position paper on the need for legislative reform of the Pharmacy Act 2007 in order to allow us to regulate more effectively in the public interest.
In 2024 and under our next Corporate Strategy, we will be engaging with the Department of Health to progress this work and will also include a consultation stage with the pharmacy profession. In the meantime, we continue to regularly review our written procedures and template documents and in June 2022, following a root and branch review, we substantially amended the written procedures of the Committees of Inquiry, so as to bring in greater efficiencies in the scheduling of inquiries, managing adjournments, handling remote hearings, and document management.