DBS Checks for Pharmacists – All you need to know
May 27th, 2025 by Daisy Birch
With increasing scrutiny on patient safety and professional accountability in healthcare settings, criminal record checks are becoming an essential part of the recruitment and compliance process in pharmacies across the UK.
The Disclosure and Barring Service, alongside Disclosure Scotland and Access Northern Ireland, provide criminal background checks designed to help employers make safer recruitment decisions. For pharmacists and their teams, these checks are more than a requirement. They are a crucial element in protection for both patients and the wider public.
Rising Demand and Regulations Update
With ongoing updates to pharmacy legislation and safeguarding standards, the demand for DBS checks is only expected to grow. From independent community pharmacies to larger healthcare providers, employers are prioritising pre-employment screening not just to meet legal obligations but to build trust with patients and the public.
Regulatory bodies and inspections, such as those by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England, increasingly expect employers to have transparent and robust background screening processes in place.
Under the 2025/26 Pharmacy Quality Scheme (England), all pharmacy professionals must complete an enhanced DBS check (valid within the last 3 years) by 31 March 2026. This was included as part of the updated Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework. Pharmacy contractors must retain evidence for inspection and post payment verification. They must also report DBS progress via the MYS application, including staff who have completed checks and those still due before the deadline.
Why Are DBS Checks Important in the Pharmacy Sector?
Pharmacists are recognised as trusted individuals. They are responsible not only for dispensing medication, but also for providing health advice, supervising controlled substances, and interacting with vulnerable individuals, including children and elderly patients. This level of responsibility means a higher level of due diligence and safeguarding is often required before employment.
Who Should you be Checking within the Pharmacy?
Whilst the need for DBS checks may seem obvious for lead pharmacists and those dispensing medication, it is vital to understand that many roles within a pharmacy setting can involve unsupervised contact with vulnerable individuals.
Roles that may require criminal record checks include:
- Pharmacists
- Pharmacy Technicians
- Dispensers and Counter Assistants
- Delivery Drivers (especially those transporting medicines to private homes)
- Healthcare Assistants
- Practice and Operations Managers
- Locum and agency staff
- Volunteers, students, and trainees on placement
The level of DBS check—Basic, Standard, or Enhanced—depends on the duties and access to vulnerable groups.
How Can We Help
Due Diligence Checking (DDC) can streamline this process by offering digital compliant solutions that support pharmacies in meeting your needs efficiently. Our systems are designed to allow account users to provide evidence when required, and generate documentation suitable for inspection and audit purposes, including downloadable notices that comply with GDPR and data protection standards.
As patient trust and regulatory expectations rise, pharmacies must remain vigilant in the onboarding process. Whether you are a sole trader pharmacist or managing multiple branches, implementing a clear and consistent DBS policy is no longer optional. It is best practice that supports clinical integrity and public confidence.
For advice on DBS eligibility, role assessments, or to set up checks quickly and securely, contact the team at 0116 260 3055.
