We are proposing to make changes to two areas of pharmacy education and training - the initial standards of education and training for pharmacy technicians, and the supervision of pharmacist independent prescribers in training.
Consultation on initial education and training standards of pharmacy technicians
We are consulting on new draft standards for the initial education and training (IET) of pharmacy technicians. This is the first major overhaul of IET standards for this profession, with the aim of both reflecting what is currently required of pharmacy technicians at the point of registration, and preparing them for roles and responsibilities that they may take on in the future.
This means not only supporting pharmacy technicians’ development of knowledge and skills, but focusing on decision-making skills, professionalism, and the ability to work within teams and independently.
The draft standards also aim to reflect how some elements of the pharmacy technician role, which historically were once seen as advanced practice, are now a key part of the role – such as the ability to carry out accuracy checking, and the requirement for newly qualified pharmacy technicians to understand core safety concepts such as clinical and corporate governance and audit.
In drafting the standards, we have also incorporated feedback we heard about the need for professionalism, communication and team-working during a discussion last year on the future of education and training for the pharmacy team.
Supervision of pharmacist independent prescribers
Currently, pharmacists wanting to become independent prescribers (PIPs) must undertake additional education and training which includes being supervised by a designated medical practitioner in practice.
In our discussion paper, we propose that in the future, the right to supervise those training to be PIPs would be extended to pharmacist prescribers and other experienced prescribers. Evidence shows that the role of PIP is expanding in terms of scope - giving this responsibility to practising PIPs would give them the opportunity to train the next generation and share their experience in the workplace.
The new supervision requirements would also, if approved, remove a potential barrier to the expansion of the number of pharmacist independent prescribers and alleviate pressure on both course providers and services.