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Contributing author: Joanne Nevinson, Senior Pharmacy Professional, Learning Development, CPPE
The role of the pharmacy technician continues to evolve, creating new opportunities to support people to access timely, high-quality care.
One significant recent development has been the legislative change enabling pharmacy technicians in England, Scotland and Wales to supply and administer medicines under Patient Group Directions (PGDs), provided they are appropriately trained, competent and authorised to use the PGD.
As NHS services continue to expand and more care is delivered closer to home, pharmacy technicians are increasingly well placed to contribute to service delivery, improve access to treatment and make the best use of the skills available in pharmacy teams.
However, stepping into these responsibilities can feel daunting. Understanding the legal framework, making appropriate clinical decisions and knowing when to refer can all raise questions for those new to working under PGDs.
To support pharmacy technicians on this journey, the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) has developed the PGDs: Empowering pharmacy technicians to provide services online workshop.
This practical and interactive workshop is specifically designed to help pharmacy technicians develop the confidence, competence and assurance needed to use PGDs safely and effectively in practice.
The online workshop uses real-world examples from services such as contraception, emergency contraception and smoking cessation. Participants have the opportunity to explore how PGDs are used in practice, discuss common challenges and work through case studies with other pharmacy technicians.
Building confidence
A key focus of the workshop is developing confidence in applying the regulatory framework for PGDs in day-to-day practice. Participants consider their professional responsibilities, explore practical decision making and reflect on their readiness to provide services using PGDs.
The programme also supports pharmacy technicians to strengthen consultation skills through person-centred care and shared decision making, helping them to work collaboratively with people accessing services and make informed choices about their care.
Importantly, the workshop recognises that safe and effective care often involves working with other healthcare professionals. Through discussion and case-based learning, participants identify situations where referral or signposting is appropriate and develop strategies to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
This collaborative approach reflects the increasingly clinical and patient-facing nature of modern pharmacy technician practice.
Whether you are preparing to deliver a service for the first time, looking to strengthen your confidence in using PGDs or seeking to expand your clinical contribution within your pharmacy team, this workshop offers a practical and supportive way to develop your practice.
Upcoming workshop
Places are available for the online PGDs: Empowering pharmacy technicians to provide services workshop, which will run on 11 November 2026 from 7pm to 9pm.
The PGD workshop forms part of a wider CPPE learning journey on PGDs. Pharmacy technicians can also access CPPE’s dedicated PGDs: training guide and resources page (cppe.ac.uk/services/using-pgds) which includes e-learning, guidance and resources designed to support the development of knowledge and skills required for safe practice under PGDs.
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