Pharmacists and pharmacy premises will need to prove they are working towards net zero targets and can provide sustainable pharmacy care, under new plans from the pharmacy regulator.

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) said it will incorporate sustainability in the standards that it holds pharmacists and pharmacy premises to.

As part of its carbon net zero plan, launched today, the regulator said it had identified the potential for it to act as a ‘Positive Influencer’, helping reduce carbon emissions 'by positively influencing pharmacy to tackle climate action'.

The GPhC suggested it could do this 'through raising awareness, asking questions, and including climate-action in our education and CPD programmes'.

'We need to ensure that pharmacy understands the risks and opportunities associated with climate change along with the requirements for adaptation to minimise the impacts,' the strategy said.

The GPhC's core standards framework will therefore assess whether pharmacy professionals and premises reflect 'sustainable pharmacy care'.

'To ascertain and promote good sustainable healthcare within pharmacy, we will undertake a "themed review" of pharmacy premises and practices,' the GPhC said.

'This review will serve as a proactive approach to identifying exemplary models of sustainability within the pharmacy sector.'

The strategy also suggested that education and training learning outcomes for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and prescribers would incorporate environmental sustainability.

Through registration and revalidation assessments, pharmacists will need to prove 'that they are working towards net zero targets and have capability to provide sustainable pharmacy care'.

The GPhC also plans to collect data on pharmacy premises as part of the renewal process so that it can quantify the carbon footprint of pharmacies on its register.

And it said it would work to ensure that its end-to-end fitness to practise process was 'as environmentally efficient as possible'.

The strategy said this was 'fundamental' and that this would include 'the integration of virtual hearings and electronic bundles', as well as minimising paper usage.

Roz Gittins, GPhC chief pharmacy officer, said: 'Climate change is a global emergency and has been declared the biggest threat to public health; it poses health risks but also amplifies existing health inequalities, having direct and immediate consequences for patients, the public and health services.

'As a result, the GPhC is actively engaged in addressing climate change, both as an employer and regulator. Our aim is to positively influence the pharmacy sector to embrace climate action and sustainable healthcare principles in line with our vision to have safe and effective pharmacy care at the heart of healthier communities.'

The GPhC also set out steps to put its 'own house in order', including collaborating with staff and suppliers to reduce waste and would monitor its energy and water usage.

And it noted that its electrically-powered Canary Wharf offices were selected to encourage active travel and the use of public transport, while its car policy incentivises the use of electric vehicles.

The GPhC also said it would seek to develop and implement a low carbon procurement policy, that would require suppliers to demonstrate their own carbon reduction plans and share progress.