Mark Koziol, Charman of the PDA says: “We now have a system where non-pharmacists managers with no professional accountabilities are requiring pharmacists to delegate tasks to Accuracy Checking Technicians (ACTs) irrespective of whether or not they are GPhC registered. This has become an employer requirement whether or not the pharmacists are satisfied with the ACTs capabilities and irrespective of whether the pharmacists are exposed to professional, criminal and civil proceedings in the event that something goes wrong. This situation must not be allowed to continue and we urge the GPhC to take the necessary steps to protect the safety of the public.”
Chapter 6 of the PDAs extensive report on Pharmacy Technicians concludes that the roles and responsibilities of pharmacy technicians must be clearly defined and the lines of accountability for both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians must be established, through discussions involving coalface practitioners.
These are minimum requirements if a symbiotic and complementary skill mix model which works optimally for the public, makes working practices more efficient, extends the practical capability of the pharmacy team and improves patient safety is ever going to be achieved.
The profession should, with input from both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, create and publish a list (similar to that used by mental health practitioners), outlining the shared capabilities for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, alongside a separate list outlining the capabilities of pharmacists. This would help create a shared values system which clearly delineates the pharmacy team’s responsibilities, whilst still allowing for discrete responsibilities.
According to Mark Pitt, PDA Director of Defence Services:
“At the PDA we defend pharmacists facing legal and professional proceedings which can have career threatening consequences. We believe that an expert opinion must be sought on the civil, regulatory and criminal interface that exists between pharmacists and pharmacy technicians as their respective roles develop. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians need clarification of the risks they face, which can only be achieved through an open and inclusive debate within the profession.”
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