Paragraph 3 Amendment of the General Pharmaceutical Council (Fitness to Practise and Disqualification etc.) Rules 2010

The General Pharmaceutical Council (Fitness to Practise and Disqualification etc.) Rules 2010^f1 are amended as follows.

In rule 2 (Interpretation), after the definition of “applicant concerned” insert—

• ““attend” means—

  1. (a)

     be physically present at a meeting or hearing, or

  2. (b)

     be present at a meeting or hearing by teleconference or video link;”.

After rule 2, insert—

“Virtual meetings and hearings

2A.

Meetings and hearings arranged under these rules may be conducted by teleconference or video link.”.

In rule 3(1) (Service of documents), omit “, with the agreement of the person concerned,”.

In rule 16 (Notices of hearing other than interim order hearings) for rule (2)(a) substitute—

“(a)

state—

(i)

the date, time and venue of the hearing, or

(ii)

if the hearing is to be conducted by teleconference or video link, the date and time of, and instructions on how to access, the hearing;”.

In rule 17 (Interim Order Notices and court referrals), for rule (2)(a) substitute—

“(a)

state—

(i)

the date, time and venue of the hearing, or

(ii)

if the hearing is to be conducted by teleconference or video link, the date and time of, and instructions on how to access, the hearing;”.

In rule 25 (Absence of the person concerned), for “is neither present nor”, substitute “neither attends nor is”.

After rule 39(4) (Attendance of the public at hearings), insert—

“(5)

Where a hearing is being held by teleconference or video link, the Committee may order that the hearing is to be held in private.”.