From Mrs J. A. White
SIR,—I read with growing irritation the letter from Mr Diamond (PJ, November 13, p784) and feel that I must reply.
Technicians have considerable expertise complementing that of the pharmacist. This is increasingly being used in areas previously seen as pharmacist-only, eg, dispensary management, purchasing, drug information, audit and directorate senior management. This not only improves opportunities for pharmacist role development but improves pharmacy practice and hence patient care.
The statement "replaced by a cheaper, less qualified work force" has an unfortunate ring. For many years, the knowledge and expertise of technicians has been an essential component of the training and development of junior pharmacists. This was and is recognised in the overlap of the pay scales - a curious way to treat a "cheaper and less qualified" workforce.
I am sure hospital pharmacists think of themselves as pharmacists first and foremost. It is precisely for this reason that the technician role has developed - to allow pharmacists to be pharmacists and allow technicians to do jobs in which technicians have considerable experience and are well qualified to perform. The tone of the letter suggests discomfiture with the reality of technician development. Surely, if the training and accreditation of counter assistants is seen by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society as an essential part of developing community pharmacy, then the case for technician registration accreditation is equally, if not more, pressing in the light of their role development. This has nothing to do with training and registering as a pharmacist. Those technicians who wish to become pharmacists do go to a school of pharmacy and register as pharmacists.
The body for technician registration is one which technicians have to endorse, but there are compelling reasons for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society to act as the registrar for those involved in the practice of pharmacy, not least so it can act coherently on matters of pharmaceutical clinical governance. The health professions are divided enough, without dividing up the dispensaries!
Perhaps a day spent with hospital pharmacists and technicians in their developing roles may accelerate Mr Diamond into the 21st century instead of living with dinosaurs.
Jayne A. White
Chief Pharmacy Technician, Royal Liverpool University Hospital