The vast majority of pharmacists (90 per cent) and pharmacy technicians (91 per cent) work in patient-facing roles, a major new survey of pharmacy professionals has revealed.

Seventy per cent of the pharmacists surveyed by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) cited providing advice and information to patients and carers as their main responsibility, while 71 per cent of pharmacy technicians said that they focused on supplying medicines and medical devices. This finding suggests that pharmacists are delegating more of their traditional dispensing work to pharmacy technicians and spending more time delivering clinical services.

However, technicians are also taking part in wider duties beyond dispensing, with over half regularly engaging in advising patients and nearly half undertaking general tasks to manage the pharmacy environment. The poll also found that 71 per cent of technicians had received an appraisal during the last 12 months, although the figure fell to 45 per cent of those working for independent community pharmacies with four or fewer stores. The survey, which was the biggest ever of its kind, involved 15,553 pharmacists and 13,515 pharmacy technicians working across hospital and community pharmacy.

The GPhC will use the findings to gain a better insight into pharmacy practice and improve the way it regulates pharmacy professionals and services. The information will also help inform the framework for continuing professional development (CPD). Duncan Rudkin, GPhC chief executive, commented:

“Pharmacy is changing rapidly and taking on new roles and responsibilities. The way we regulate both professionals and pharmacy services will also have to change to support and promote improvements in practice. This survey provides a useful evidence base that will inform our work and the work of others.”