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Education standards for pharmacy technicians may need to be updated to be fit for the future, suggests a new GPhC report. Charlotte Rixon finds out more

The initial education and training standards (IET) for pharmacy technicians may need to be revised to ensure that they remain fit for purpose and reflect the changing roles of the profession, according to a new report commissioned by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

The analysis was undertaken by University College London and London Pharmacy Education and Training and is based on a literature review, as well as in-depth interviews with pharmacy employers, education providers and other stakeholders.

Key trends and issues

The report concludes that all the current IET standards are essential, but that elements are no longer contemporary. In addition, while the length and level of the standards is considered appropriate now, interviewees agreed that they might need updating if the professional responsibilities of technicians evolve. The report also highlights a variation in funding opportunities between hospital and community pharmacy, which may need to be addressed.

GPhC chief executive Duncan Rudkin said that the findings would improve the GPhC's understanding of €some of the key trends, issues and themes in pharmacy technician pre-registration training,€ as well as helping to inform the regulator's ongoing €review of education and training standards for the pharmacy team€.

Focus on quality

In the report, pharmacy stakeholders propose recommendations on how to improve the IET standards, including placing increased focus on teaching patient care and safety and code of conduct, and developing a stronger set of criteria against which to track the progress of pre-registration pharmacy technicians. They also suggest changing assessment methods to ensure that trainees are tested on their ability to put their knowledge into practice.

€It is vital that the standards we set enable pharmacy technicians to get the quality of initial education and training that they need,€ added Mr Rudkin.

All interviewees agreed that further discussion is needed about the changing roles of pharmacy technicians within the pharmacy team before new IET standards are developed.