Fitness to Practise: Health, Conduct and Competence (Pharmacy Council Assessment)
What this domain tests
Under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 the Pharmacy Council must be satisfied you are fit to practise, assessed across three strands: health, conduct and competence. OSCE stations test whether you can recognise which strand a scenario belongs to, escalate correctly, and protect patients without over-sharing.
Core rules
- Health - a condition that may impair practice. The Council can require a medical examination and refer to a Health Committee, which may impose conditions (treatment, supervision, restricted hours) or suspend. This pathway is protective, not punitive.
- Conduct - professional behaviour, including convictions and boundary violations. Concerns are screened by the Council; serious matters go to a Professional Conduct Committee and then the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, which can cancel or suspend registration, impose conditions, or fine.
- Competence - knowledge and skill. The Council can require a competence assessment; a Competence Committee may recommend retraining, supervision, conditions or suspension.
- At registration and at APC renewal you declare fitness to practise and any convictions; a false declaration is itself a conduct matter.
- The Council can act on information from any source - it does not need a formal complaint.
Worked example
A dispenser reports that a pharmacist has been drowsy, slurring words and making near-misses, and suspects diversion of a controlled drug. Reasoning: patient safety comes first - intervene in the workflow, double-check dispensing and restrict access. The primary issue is health (possible impairment), but diversion is also conduct. Escalate to the manager and the Council's health pathway; share information only with those who need it. Do not diagnose, promise secrecy, or quietly cover shifts.
Traps
- Misclassifying a health issue as misconduct, or vice versa.
- Promising confidentiality when patients remain at risk.
- Trying to counsel the colleague instead of escalating.
- Forgetting that interns carry the same disclosure duties as registered pharmacists.