From Mr G. P. Bunn, MRPharmS
SIR,—Roles and responsibilities of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have changed significantly over the past several years. I know because I have worn both white coats but with different job titles. I fully support Mr Hancox's letter (PJ, June 12, p84), which puts forward the case for the registration of pharmacy technicians by the Society. Is there a pharmacist out there who has worked with technicians that does not fully appreciate and support the essential role the technician plays in the pharmaceutical team? Yes, it is truly a team and in order for the team to be effective it requires members for different responsibilities. Individual members also acknowledge the contribution brought by others to enable the team to be effective, efficient and meet or exceed their goals. Technicians are highly skilled and motivated people, despite Mr Cutner's comparison to the untrained technicians in Madeira (PJ, July 19, p55).
There is no comparison to be made and there is no substance to the hypothesis that giving qualifications to technicians will lead to extinction of the pharmacist.
Now is the time for the pharmacists who truly believe in the value technicians bring to the team to be heard. Let the Society see that you support the technicians that are essential for providing a quality service to the patient. I was a technician over 25 years ago when the discussion of pharmacists support for technicians started. I was fortunate to be given an opportunity by a pharmacist to obtain my degree but will always support the full recognition of pharmacy technicians. What does it take to obtain that support? Will the year 2000 be a milestone in pharmacy history when the Society registers technicians? I would say to pharmacists: "Technicians need you and they need you now."
Graham Bunn
Berwyn, Pensylvania, United States