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Independent single-owner pharmacies were more likely to fail their premises inspection than larger pharmacy chains, an analysis of General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) inspection data from 2022–2024 has found.
In the study, published in Pharmacy on 14 July 2026, study authors also said that pharmacies that provided vaccinations were more likely to pass their GPhC inspection, regardless of ownership size.
“Analysis of inspector comments identified three key factors influencing inspection performance: governance and organisational oversight; suitability of the physical environment; and staff competence and training,” the study authors noted.
“Strengthening governance structures, workforce development and infrastructure support, particularly in smaller independent pharmacies, may improve consistency in regulatory compliance, and support safe, high-quality delivery of vaccination services from community pharmacies.”
The paper was written by Roz Gittins, chief pharmacy officer at the GPhC, and Yoni Carmel, senior research manager at the GPhC, as well as Cosmika Goswami, research associate, and Gazala Akram, senior teaching fellow, both at the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Strathclyde.
Study authors compared outcomes across the six most commonly failed standards, including the standard that states that the safety and quality of pharmacy services are reviewed and monitored, as well as the standard that highlights that pharmacy services are managed and delivered safely and effectively.
They analysed inspection outcome data from 2,197 pharmacies, which consisted of 1,918 brick-and-mortar pharmacies and 279 pharmacies categorised as ‘other’ such as online pharmacies.
An average of 7% of independent single-owner pharmacies (total n=503) failed at least one of these outcomes, compared with 5% of independent pharmacy chains consisting of 2–5 pharmacies (total n=550), 4% of small multiple-pharmacy chains of 6–25 pharmacies (total n=255), 2% of medium multiple-pharmacy chains of 26–250 pharmacies (total n=227), 1% of large multiple-pharmacy chains of 251–1,000 pharmacies (total n=215) and 1% of national pharmacy chains with more than 1,000 premises (total n=445).
Speaking to The Pharmaceutical Journal on 20 July 2026, Gittins said: “Community pharmacies across Great Britain generally demonstrate high levels of compliance with our standards.
“This study, which we co-authored with Strathclyde University, provides some useful insights into factors that may support consistent outcomes across the sector. While the findings relating to smaller pharmacy groups are tentative and require further exploration, the research suggests that strengthening governance arrangements, workforce development and infrastructure support could help improve consistency in regulatory compliance and support the safe delivery of services, including vaccinations.
“We continue to support pharmacies in meeting our standards through inspections, guidance and ongoing engagement. In 2025–2026, we delivered almost 2,000 inspections and more than 5,500 regulatory contacts. We will continue to promote awareness of our standards and guidance, share learning from inspections, and work with the sector to support safe, effective and high-quality care for patients.”
Commenting on the findings, Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents independent pharmacies, said: “Our members work incredibly hard to comply with the regulations and provide a first-class, safe service to the patients they serve.
“The NPA also supports its members with practical inspection guidance, governance resources, training and expert advice to help them meet GPhC standards and continuously improve.”
