As the deadline for responses to the DHSC consultation approaches, the PDA is reminding pharmacists to have their say about the proposals which, if implemented would enable registered pharmacy technicians to use PGDs across England, Wales, and Scotland in any setting including the NHS and independent and voluntary sectors. Currently, the proposals are not applicable to pharmacy technicians in Northern Ireland as they are not yet registrants regulated by the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI), although it is widely anticipated they will become so.
The PDA is in the final stages of formalising its submission to DHSC which has been informed by member feedback. Significant numbers of pharmacists have raised concerns about the proposals directly to the PDA, which include the appropriateness of enabling Pharmacy Technicians across all settings to be involved in patient facing activities beyond their level of training or qualifications, patient safety and governance. Many have asked what level of additional training and accreditation Pharmacy Technicians would have prior to working in such expanded roles.
Whilst the PDA advocates for proper skill-mix where Pharmacy Technicians would undertake appropriate technical activities, there are several reasons why the DHSC proposals cannot be supported including;
- Pharmacy Technicians fail to satisfy the NICE competency framework for health professionals using PGDs.
- The underpinning education of a pharmacy technician Level 3 qualification is inadequate.
- There is variance in quality of accredited courses and their delivery leading to GPhC registration.
- There is no central registration assessment to maintain consistency of standards for entrance onto the register (unlike for pharmacists).
- The 2-year education and training of a pharmacy technician (IETPT) requires only 14 hours work experience per week.
- c.50% of the current technician workforce entered the register via a grandparent rule and there are no central records held of their education attainment.
The PDA will soon be publishing its response to the proposals. Members can find more details and information on how to respond to the consultation online here. The closing date is Friday 29th September 2023.
Act now
PDA members who wish to respond to the consultation individually can do so before 29 September 2023 here.
Learn more
- PHARMACY ECO-SYSTEM: Appropriate decisions needed on skill mix and respective responsibilities of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians
- PDA responds to APTUK/PCPA consultation on possible national competency framework for primary care pharmacy technicians
- PDA report suggests action on grandparenting and educational standards of pharmacy technicians is required
- The Human Medicines Regulations 2012
- PDA release their Pharmacy Technicians Report in its entirety
- Proposal for the use of patient group directions by pharmacy technicians
- Pharmacy technicians and patient group directions webinar
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