The Countdown Starts For Pharmacy Technician Registration

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 29 Jun 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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Pharmacy technicians throughout England, Scotland and Wales will be regulated by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain on a statutory basis for the first time when legislation comes into force on 1 July.

The new regulations are a positive step for pharmacy technicians, reflecting the growing role and responsibility they have as healthcare professionals.

The legislation will pave the way for compulsory registration for pharmacy technicians from 1 July 2011. The initial two-year transitional period will make the transition easier for those not already registered with the Society. Pharmacy technicians who are not already on the voluntary register are therefore urged to register within the next two years. Pharmacy technicians already on the voluntary register will be automatically transferred to the new register and will not need to do anything.

The transitional period allows for those people with relevant work experience and vocational qualifications to have the ability to register as pharmacy technicians until 30 June 2011. After this date qualification requirements will change and those who have not registered will need to hold specific qualifications in order to do so.

The Society's Head of Support Staff Regulation, Janet Flint said: "We have been unreservedly supporting this new legislation for some time and we are pleased this is now a reality.

"Pharmacy technicians now have the status of belonging to a health profession recognised in statute. It also means they can practise as a pharmacy technician, and to use that formal title, anywhere in Great Britain.

"We are fully prepared for the regulation of pharmacy technicians. It is now important for pharmacy technicians and their employers to register with us - and sooner rather than later. " Hospital pharmacy technician and Education Officer for APTUK, Tess Fenn added: "I completely support the regulation of pharmacy technicians and see this as a tremendous and positive step forward. I am particularly proud that I am a registered pharmacy technician."

Source
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain