Fitness for purpose of pharmacy technician education and training: The case of Great Britain

Abstract

Role clarity is required for PTs so that regulatory standards can be designed to meet current and future practice needs. This will support effective skill mix configurations to enable pharmacists, particularly in community, to take on extended, clinical roles.

The caring behaviours of Danish pharmaconomists: insight for pharmacy technician practice around the world

“…[53] To that end, pharmaconomist education programming might include bolstering certain aspects of the communication curriculum and heighten awareness for the importance of patient self-efficacy. This could be carried out with any number of potential educational interventions at the Danish College of Pharmacy Practice such as through role play, coupled with inculcation of patient motivation theories, like self-efficacy, in addition to motivational interviewing techniques, as has been suggested for technicians in the U.K. [54] The association between caring behaviours and organisational culture was strong and merits further attention. [33] Caring behaviours have been reportedly associated with quality of worklife of those providing the care.…”

From pharmacy faculty to pharmacy shop: still a logical pathway in Europe?

“…nurses vs physicians) [14]. However, this solution, envisaged in the UK and mainly stemming from the American experience, has aroused concern among British community pharmacists [15], who are reluctant to devolve their dispensing role to technicians. This reluctance might be even stronger in large mainland countries such as Italy, where graduated pharmacy technicians have never existed-possibly not by chance-and private pharmacies owned by (traditionally hereditary) single pharmacists still predominate, so any substantial change to the status quo is perceived as a potential 'Trojan horse' in favor of a real market 'liberalization' [1].…”

Use of cross-sector apprenticeships in pharmacy: is it a sustainable quality education model for pharmacy assistants?

“…There is evidence from pharmacy technicians and preregistration pharmacists that training differs between the two main sectors, with hospital trainees working in larger, multiprofessional teams with dedicated study time. Furthermore, qualified hospital staff work in more advanced roles . Whilst there is some evidence that the nonregulated pharmacy assistant workforce is historically transient in nature, with a lack of robust and sustainable education pathways and poor career progression, relatively little is known regarding their practice or training .…”

“…Pharmacy technicians are regulated pharmacy professionals who register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) following GPhC accredited training, which follows an apprenticeship type model, where a large part of learning occurs in the workplace, alongside a knowledge and a competencybased qualification. [1] Pharmacy assistants, who the GPhC require to be trained to National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) Level 2, [2] are not otherwise regulated. [3,4] In England, most pharmacists and support staff work in community and hospital pharmacy, [5] with primary care/general practice increasing.…”

“…Furthermore, qualified hospital staff work in more advanced roles. [1,10,13,14] Whilst there is some evidence that the nonregulated pharmacy assistant workforce is historically transient in nature, with a lack of robust and sustainable education pathways and poor career progression, [15] relatively little is known regarding their practice or training. [3] Nevertheless, it is important that pharmacy assistants enable the release of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to deliver high-quality near-patient services, to enable delivery of the government vision for health care.…”