The NPA hopes that its new accredited training course will empower staff to take on new duties in the pharmacy and streamline workload

On occasion – particularly during busy periods – it may be helpful for counter staff to help manage stock within the dispensary, freeing up time for other members of the pharmacy team to dispense prescriptions and perform other duties. Usually, in order to do this, the staff member must also be trained as a dispensary assistant.

Now the NPA has developed a new course to help provide staff with essential knowledge on undertaking stock control duties within the dispensary. The course – An Introduction to Pharmacy Stock Control – is fully accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) as meeting the minimum training required for staff who are not qualified as dispensary assistants, but who wish to carry out stock control duties within the dispensary. It empowers staff to take on new duties while also ensuring high standards of service and safety within the dispensary.

The course is divided into five sections and covers:

Introduction to working in a dispensary

• Patient confidentiality
• Standard operating procedures
• Maintaining dispensary records
• Dealing with customers with special requirements

Working as part of a team

• Work effectively as part of a team
• The different members in the pharmacy team
• The role of stock control and limitations of this role
• Dealing with conflicts in the team

The dispensary

• Dispensary equipment
• Storage of medicines
• Stability of medicines
• Hygiene and prevention of contamination

Health and safety

• Hazards and risks
• Roles and responsibilities
• Dealing with hazardous materials
• Controlled Drugs waste

Stock control

• Ordering stock
• Receiving orders
• Stock checks
• Maintain stock
• Distribution of stock

The paper-based distance-learning course lasts for about three months, although it can be studied over a 12-month period.

To find out more about the course or to enrol, contact the NPA’s Professional Development Team on 01727 800402.

The NPA has also developed a diabetes resource pack to help pharmacists and the wider team engage with patients and commissioners in improving diabetes care in the UK. The pack provides a clinical overview, together with guidance on the services that can be offered within the pharmacy.