Pharmacy Technicians
Where can Pharmacy Technicians work?
Pharmacy Technicians work in a wide range of settings, including (but not exclusively):
Care homes
Integrated Care Boards (ICBs)
Mental health
Justice (the Prison Service)
Defence (HM Armed Services)
Within the pharmaceutical industry
They prepare medicines and other healthcare products for the supply to patients. They also take an active role in providing patients with guidance on taking medicines.
Community Pharmacy Technicians
Community Pharmacy Technicians work within the healthcare team in community pharmacies most often located on the high street, within shopping centres and supermarkets.
They undertake a wide range of tasks which include:
Reading prescriptions, labelling and dispensing prescribed medicines
Calculating quantities and doses of medicines
Providing information and advice to patients on how to use their medication
Advising members of the public about over the counter medicines and management of minor ailments
Selling over-the-counter medicines and other items stocked by the chemist
Manufacturing basic ointments and mixtures by making simple dilutions
Stock procurement and control
Maintaining individual records of patient’s prescriptions, usually using the pharmacy computer system
Training, supervising and assessing junior staff and trainees
Some of this work is also undertaken by Pharmacy Technicians working in dispensing doctors’ practice.
Pharmacy Technicians in PCNs / GP Practices
The role of Pharmacy Technician is regulated and has developed significantly in recent years. General Practices have started to employ Pharmacy Technicians to help them with a range of tasks that vary in complexity, from preparing the repeat prescriptions to undertaking prescribing audits and helping patients get the best outcomes from taking their medicines.
Pharmacy Technicians can become an important member of the Practice team and support Practices in the following areas:
Ensuring accurate records of medication following discharge from hospital and liaising with patients to help their understanding of any changes
Releasing Pharmacist and GP time by resolving medication queries with patients
Acting as a point of contact with community pharmacies where usual medications are out of stock
Looking for equivalent medication alternatives for patients with difficulty swallowing tablets
Advising on cost, effective prescribing choices and avoiding medication waste
Pharmacy Technicians may also give advice to patients on stopping smoking and provide expertise on different treatment options for patients in a specialist area, such as mental health or general practice.
Hospital Pharmacy Technicians
The work in hospital pharmacy, though similar to the community sector, can be more varied. There are different opportunities for career development. In addition to the tasks listed that the Community Pharmacy Technicians undertake, the hospital Pharmacy Technicians are involved in:
Manufacturing of sterile and non-sterile products or medicines often from raw materials
Manufacture of chemotherapy cancer treatments
Providing medicines information to healthcare professionals and the public
Medicines management on the hospital wards
Training, supervising and assessing junior staff and trainees
Quality control of manufactured medicines
Dispensing and arranging clinical trial medicines
Visit the NHS Roles – Pharmacy Technician webpage for more information on being a Pharmacy Technician.
Career pathway
To practise in Great Britain, Pharmacy Technicians must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and have satisfied the Council that it meets its detailed requirements. Registered Pharmacy Technicians must keep their skills and knowledge up to date with annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Once qualified, many Pharmacy Technicians join the Association of Pharmacy Technicians (APTUK). The APTUK runs courses, conferences, and seminars where pharmacy technicians can exchange ideas and update their skills.
Qualified and experienced Pharmacy Technicians can go on to study to become a Pharmacist.
Training opportunities
Training to become a Pharmacy Technician usually takes two years. It combines practical work experience with study, either at college or by distance learning. Courses cover:
Human physiology
Disease management
Actions and uses of medicine pharmacy manufacturing
Pharmacy law
There is now also a Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship option available and further information can be found on the National Careers Service – Pharmacy Technician page.
Workplace experience or shadowing
For existing Pharmacy Technicians who would like to expand their knowledge and experience working in different sectors please contact:
Community of practice
Pharmacy Technician Network
For all Pharmacy Technicians across all healthcare sectors. To provide networking and support opportunities, as well as to increase potential collaboration. First meeting was in November 2022. Frequency thereafter to be agreed by attendees.
Contact Details
For more information about the work of the Faculty please contact:
@Pharmacy4Notts
