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In celebration of World Pharmacy Technician Day today, we have gathered some significant achievements from this year that highlight the growing recognition of pharmacy technicians as integral members of the pharmacy team. During the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK) Conference in September, NHS England's Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, David Webb, announced 530 apprenticeships for community pharmacy pre-registration pharmacy technicians (PTPs) for the 2024/25 period. "This announcement shows a real investment in pharmacy technicians. It will impact all areas of practice, not just within community pharmacies," said Nicola Stockmann, APTUK President, in an exclusive interview with Pharmacy Business. In August, the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) was allocated funding to offer 80 NHS England-funded places in its Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) programme. This 3-12 month course is designed to help pharmacy technicians develop a range of competencies, ensuring they can deliver safe and effective patient care. Up to 10 NHSE-funded spots will be available each month on a first-come, first-served basis for pharmacy technicians working in community pharmacies, NHS hospitals, and health and justice settings. The funding will remain available until all 80 places are filled or until March 2025.

A recent report published by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has highlighted a significant increase in the number of registered pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, indicating the expanding role of these professionals in the UK healthcare system. As of May 31, 2024, the GPhC register recorded a total of 90,739 pharmacy professionals, up from 90,604 at the end of April 2024. This includes 64,415 pharmacists and 26,324 pharmacy technicians, maintaining a steady split of 71 per cent pharmacists and 29 per cent pharmacy technicians. This reflects an overall increase of four pharmacists and 131 pharmacy technicians from the previous month. The report underscores the critical role of pharmacy professionals in ensuring high-quality patient care and supporting the operational efficiency of pharmacies.

NHS England has funded the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) to offer 80 free places in their Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) programme. Starting August 2024, up to 10 NHSE-funded places will be available each month on a first-come, first-served basis for pharmacy technicians working in community pharmacy, NHS hospitals, and in health and justice. The funding will continue until all 80 places are allocated or until March 2025. CPPE has revealed that 50 per cent of the funding has been allocated for community pharmacy and 50 per cent for other sectors. The ACPT programme is a 3-12 month course aimed at helping pharmacy technicians achieve various competencies, ensuring they can provide safe and effective patient care.

As the pharmacy profession continues to evolve, the role of Accredited Checking Technicians (ACTs) is becoming increasingly vital. Anne Ausden, the Deputy Manager of Jephsons Pharmacy, embodies this shift. With over 18 months in her current role, Anne oversees the pharmacy's daily operations, optimises medication use, and ensures high-quality patient care. Her work extends beyond the dispensary, offering blood tests, blood pressure monitoring, flu vaccines, and health education sessions. Anne, a 2023 Pharmacy Business Awards winner, shares her insights on the expanding role of ACTs with Pharmacy Business reporter Rudra Mulmule, particularly in light of recent legislative changes that allow pharmacy technicians to now administer medicines under a Patient Group Direction (PGD) and with the introduction of the Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) programme.

As the assisted dying bill moves through Parliament, pharmacy professionals are encouraged to take part in the public debate. The UK chief pharmaceutical officers (CPhOs) - Andrew Evans (Wales), Alison Strath (Scotland), Cathy Harrison (Northern Ireland), David Webb (England) - have issued advice for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians wishing to give their opinions on this important topic. "In our view it is entirely reasonable for any pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to give their opinions, and that the public would expect that," they said in a statement released along with Elizabeth Fidler, senior professional advisor for pharmacy technician practice at NHS England, and Richard Cattell, deputy chief pharmaceutical officer for England. However, pharmacy professionals are advised to avoid identifying individuals they have cared for unless with their consent and directly engaging patients in the debate. The guideline also emphasised that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians should express their personal views, and not speak for the professions. The CPhOs noted that the final decision on assisted dying must be made by society as a whole, through the parliamentary.

New amendments to the Human Medicines Regulations will soon allow registered pharmacy technicians to supply and administer medicines under Patient Group Directions (PGDs). Laid before Parliament at the end of May, the legislative changes will come into effect from June 26, 2024, the Community Pharmacy England (CPE) announced today. The introduction of this new legislation follows an announcement made by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) earlier this year. The regulatory adjustments provide the legal framework for pharmacy technicians to engage in the supply and administration of medicines under PGDs in the course of their professional practice. However, there will be no immediate change in the provision of community pharmacy services, the CPE noted

A Middlesbrough pharmacy worker has raised nearly £1,000 for cancer support by participating in 'Brave the Shave,' a charity fundraising campaign organised in memory of some of her colleagues who lost their battle with cancer. Sam Smith, a trainee pharmacy technician at the University Hospital of North Tees shaved off her blue hair to support two cancer services: the cancer information centre at her hospital and Macmillan Cancer Support. The 34-year-old's brave decision began this summer after she commented about shaving her head to cope with the heat. A colleague jokingly offered her £5 to follow through, which sparked the idea to turn the gesture into a charity fundraiser - Brave the Shave. In a video shared by the University, Sam is seen getting her head shaved at the hospital while her pharmacy colleagues cheer her on. Teesside pharmacy worker raises nearly £1,000 for cancer support by shaving off her blue locks Sporting a bald head, Sam said: "It doesn't feel like my head right now but it's very liberating. "I said I wouldn't do it for anything less than £300 so to raise just shy of £1,000 is amazing. Thank you to everybody who has donated - you've made it all worth it."

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has strongly condemned recent acts of racism, violence, and disorder caused by far-right, anti-immigrant protestors across the UK. Roz Gittins, chief pharmacy officer at GPhC, expressed deep concern for the safety of pharmacy teams, particularly those from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds. He said: "We strongly condemn the racism, violence and disorder caused by a small minority of the population that has taken place over recent days." "We understand that pharmacy teams serving our communities may feel especially vulnerable at this time." "Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, as well as those who trained abroad, make an enormous contribution to our pharmacy and health services and they should never have to feel fear when going to work.

A judicial review claim launched by the British Medical Association (BMA) against the General Medical Council (GMC) has parallelly intensified Pharmacists' Defence Association's (PDA) scrutiny over the use of the term 'pharmacy professionals'. PDA has criticised the evolving definition of 'pharmacy professionals,' and the potential risks to patient safety amidst regulatory ambiguity as part of "a far wider agenda." Concerns stem from what the PDA perceives as a blurring of distinctions between pharmacists and pharmacy technicians as "attempted homogenisation" by bodies like the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), NHS, and Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS). Raising similar issue as the BMA against the GMC over its use of 'medical professionals for doctors and Medical Associate Professions (MAPs), Mark Koizol, Chairman of the PDA has said:

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has produced a new resource to support pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who are providing pharmacy services to children and young people with gender incongruence or dysphoria. It emphasises that pharmacy teams providing such services need to adhere to the standard process of clinical assessment and care provision they have been trained to take as healthcare professionals. The starting point is that pharmacy professionals must provide compassionate, inclusive and person-centred care, within the current relevant legal and regulatory context. "It's essential that all patients have access to appropriate, high-quality and respectful healthcare, free from discrimination or bias," the GPhC noted

In a bid to bolster professional leadership within the pharmacy sector, the four government Chief Pharmaceutical Officers (CPhOs) have embarked on a significant initiative, forming the UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board (UKPPLAB). In a recent communication, all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians received confirmation of the board members selected by the CPhOs, alongside a note from the board's appointed chair, who was chosen collectively by the four CPhOs and reports directly to the CPhO for England. Over three years, the 21-member Board will implement recommendations from the UK Commission on Pharmacy Professional Leadership's report aimed to enhance professional fulfillment among pharmacists while simultaneously augmenting patient safety standards. This announcement also follows with the appointment of Sir Hugh Taylor as its Independent Chair and the appointment of Independent Expert Members who expressed his delight over the role's "potential to lead and support collaboration across the professions in the UK". However, the move has been met with cautious optimism from the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA), urging the new board to uphold transparency and openness to garner trust among pharmacists.

Nestled in the heart of a bustling high street and a housing estate, at Lincoln Pharmacy, part of Mildcare Ltd Group, in Tower Hamlets in London, the scene is a testament to resilience and innovation, where queues of people seek aid from a pharmacy technician stationed behind a glass window-a symbol of the enduring impact of the pandemic. Amidst the array of modern amenities at the pharmacy stands Atulkumar Patel, the proprietor and Independent Prescriber (IP) at Lincoln Pharmacy, whose vision has propelled the establishment into a beacon of progressive healthcare. Owner of two Pharmacies, Patel's team of 20 dispenses an average of 20,000 prescriptions monthly, maintaining an NHS/OTC split of 80/20. Recipient of the prestigious Independent Prescriber of the Year award at the Pharmacy Business Awards 2023, Patel reflects on the pivotal moment when his pharmacy pioneered the rollout of COVID-19 vaccine jabs within the community. "When doctors' doors closed, pharmacy was the only place where people could get help and care," Patel recounts, emphasising the pivotal role pharmacies played during the crisis. Patel's dedication during the pandemic extended beyond mere service provision; it was about showcasing the untapped potential of pharmacies.

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is inviting pharmacy technicians and pharmacists who have undergone revalidation since October 2022 to share their experiences by participating in a survey. Additionally, pharmacy professionals are encouraged to provide feedback on the impact of revalidation and offer comments and suggestions for improving the process. The Council said: "The purpose of this survey is to ensure that the current revalidation process is effective and meets the needs of professionals and the public." To support this review, the GPhC has appointed the consultancy firm Grant Thornton, which will also help in identifying any gaps and determining areas that may require further development. "The Grant Thornton review will contribute to the development of potential changes to the revalidation framework," it said.

A tribunal has ordered Boots to pay over £58,000 in compensation and costs to a pharmacist who was racially profiled at work. S.Famojuro, a black pharmacist of Nigerian national origin, experienced racial harassment from pharmacy team members during a shift on 18 July 2020. The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA), the independent trade union for pharmacists, represented the pharmacist throughout the internal grievance processes and at the Employment Tribunal hearing. In a detailed written judgment, the pharmacy team members and company managers were heavily criticised by the Tribunal, after finding that a pre-registration pharmacy technician and a pharmacy advisor had undermined Famojuro in his professional role as the Responsible Pharmacist (RP) and insulted him. The pharmacist lodged a grievance with Boots regarding his treatment, but it took the company over four months to initiate the investigation and set a meeting date, and this was only done after the PDA intervened to address the unacceptable delays.

Community pharmacists across the UK are looking for ways to reduce operational costs and find new sources of revenue. This is a pressing issue for the sector: reversing a decade of cuts to pharmacy funding will be a mammoth task, while pharmacists have taken on new primary care responsibilities under Pharmacy First. This means that fresh sources of revenue and lower costs will overwhelmingly come from new technology and the efficiencies they can bring. As Britain's 11,500 community pharmacies assume a larger role on the frontlines of primary care, pharmacists should rapidly implement cost-effective tech solutions that provide pharmacies with a one-stop-shop to drive down costs and increase revenue. Opportunity in PGD reform New technology will be key for community pharmacists to benefit fully from reforms to PGDs. The scope of PGDs is now significantly expanding: as of June 26, pharmacy technicians are now on the list of registered healthcare professionals who can make use of PGDs. These reforms can benefit community pharmacies in several ways. For one, they will allow more pharmacy staff to administer 'frontline services' such as vaccinations - reducing costs and generating revenue. Further, the wider range of services that pharmacies can offer under Pharmacy First will make these procedures, as well as other kinds of preventative care, more accessible and convenient - increasing footfall. With international travel and tourism now growing apace, increased demand for travel vaccinations means that, according to research from Charac, the average UK community pharmacy can expect to generate £46,800 a year through travel health services.

The University of Bath's Department of Life Sciences has introduced a series of five new online short courses for pharmacy professionals. These courses aim to support pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the UK and worldwide in meeting their compulsory Continuous Professional Development (CPD) requirements and staying current and competent in their professional practice. This initiative follows the successful accreditation of the University's Advanced Clinical Pharmacy Practice MSc by NHS England. Fully online, the new courses cover a diverse range of areas within pharmacy practice, such as mental health, pharmaceutical public health, answering queries about medicines, polypharmacy, and interpreting key blood test results. Looking ahead, the department plans to expand this series with additional courses in relevant and emerging areas, with the potential for the framework to be used across the University to deliver more online short courses for professional development. The mental health course, which aims to enable pharmacy professionals to understand how they can play a role in supporting the mental health of their patients, is offered free of charge.

Duncan Rudkin, chief executive and registrar of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), has underscored the importance of listening in pharmacy practice, which is crucial for fostering a culture where professionals feel empowered to speak up. Rudkin, who is taking part in this year's Speak Up Month, believes that speaking up and listening are essential for ensuring quality care and patient safety. In a video message, he says: "Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy team members are working hard to provide care that's person-centered, inclusive, safe and effective to patients and members of the public. "Speaking up about anything that's getting in the way of this is a core part of pharmacy professional practice." He emphasises that while it's important for professionals to voice their concerns, it is equally vital for managers and leaders to listen and act upon this feedback.

In a delightful announcement, the University of Brighton has honoured NHS England's Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, David Webb with its prestigious Doctor of Science honorary degree Webb's award is a highlight of the university's graduation ceremony which celebrated the graduation of over 3,400 undergraduate and postgraduate students from 92 countries at the Brighton Centre this week. The accolade recognises Webb's transformative work in the pharmacy services within the NHS, highlighting the profound impact his contributions have had on delivery of healthcare across the UK. Under Webb's leadership, significant advancements have been made in integrating pharmacy into NHS care pathways, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing the role of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the healthcare system. Webb expressed his honour stating, "I am delighted to receive the honorary award of Doctor of Science from the University of Brighton in recognition of both my contribution to pharmacy in the NHS"

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPHC), Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), Company Chemists Association (CCA), Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK), National Pharmacy Association (NPA), Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists, Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA), and Independent Pharmacies Association (IPA) have released a joint statement in response to the far-right riots across the UK. They emphasised their united stance, declaring zero tolerance for racism towards colleagues or the public in any form. The joint statement reads: "We are shocked and saddened by the violent public disorder events in recent days. "We acknowledge how all sectors of the pharmacy profession may be impacted and recognise the challenges that this level of overt aggression can have on people's ability or willingness to live their daily lives. "The pharmacy workforce deserves peace and safety, not fear and harm. We stand united in having a zero tolerance of racism towards our colleagues or the public in whatever form it takes." Meanwhile, Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has expressed concerns that protests and violent disorder in various towns and cities across England may impact the ability of community pharmacies to operate.

The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust (LTCT) is set to provide financial aid for the families of those working in the convenience, grocery, and pharmacy trades starting next month. In an announcement, the Trust shared that the applications for the academic year 2024/25 for undergraduate bursaries will start from August 1 till October 15. LTCT bursary schemes are intended for university students whose parent or carer is "employed in an eligible profession, such as convenience retailer, supermarket store worker, or pharmacy technician". According to the charity's bursary scheme, successful applicants can receive up to £3,000, which can be put towards tuition fees, course materials, equipments, or even travel costs. "With the charity's core belief that everyone should have the opportunity to reach their academic potential", LTCT believes. The bursary scheme will help alleviate some of the financial pressure on students interested in pursuing higher education and their parents. In 2024, the total number of bursaries awarded since the scheme launched is expected to exceed 5,000, totalling £28million worth of financial aid.