The General Pharmaceutical Council (Amendment) Rules Order of Council 2022

Amendment to the General Pharmaceutical Council (Fitness to Practise and Disqualification etc Rules) Order of Council 2010

3.—(1) The General Pharmaceutical Council (Fitness to Practise and Disqualification etc) Rules 2010(1) 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;”; and

(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;” and

(3) After rule 2 (interpretation), insert—

“Virtual meetings and hearings

2A.   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.”.

(1)

Rules as contained in the Schedule to the General Pharmaceutical Council (Fitness to Practise and Disqualification etc Rules) Order of Council 2010 (S.I. 2010/1615).