Role of pharmacy technicians
Role of pharmacy technicians
Pharmacy technicians are often the people who make a clinical service workable in practice. They may identify whether a patient could be suitable for a service, check appointment capacity, support documentation, prepare the consultation room, manage stock, explain the process to patients and coordinate communication with the GP practice.
This requires confidence and clear boundaries. A pharmacy technician should not make clinical decisions outside their competence, but they can use agreed processes to identify red flags, recognise when the pharmacist needs to be involved urgently and make sure important information is not lost.
They can also help the team give a consistent message to GP receptionists, care navigation and clinical staff.
For example, if a GP practice refers patients with one of the seven conditions into Pharmacy First, the pharmacy team needs to know how referrals arrive, who checks them, how quickly patients are contacted and what happens if the pharmacist is unavailable. Pharmacy technicians can help create and maintain these practical steps.
Understanding PGD exclusions
Patient group directions are legal mechanisms that allow specified healthcare professionals to supply or administer medicines to defined groups of patients without an individual prescription.
They have strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. A patient may appear suitable at first, but then fall outside of the pathway because of their age, symptoms, comorbidities, pregnancy, medicines, allergy status or severity of illness.
It’s important to note that exclusion does not mean the pharmacy consultation has failed. The pharmacist may still have assessed the patient, taken a history, checked observations and identified the safest next step.
Pharmacy technicians can support this by ensuring referral information is complete, clear and passed on promptly.
Good information can prevent the patient having to repeat details and help the GP practice prioritise the next action.