The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7237 p255
22 February 2003

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Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (www.aptuk-online.org)

Technicians' association wants to include assistants

The Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APT) wants to include pharmacy assistants in its membership from next year.

In an update to its five-year strategy, published this month, the APT says that by the end of 2004 it wants to include pharmacy support staff holding the National Vocational Qualification level 2 in pharmacy services as enrolled members. Changes to the association's byelaws to permit this are likely to be made at its annual conference in spring 2004. Ahead of this, there will be consultation with current members and a debate by the APT executive committee. Pharmacy technicians holding NVQs at level 3 can become full members of the APT. The association supports the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's plans to register pharmacy technicians and wants to see all its full members registered.

Registration will be voluntary from 2005 and mandatory from 2007. In order to support this, the APT says that it will "continue to evolve" as a professional and representative body. It is aiming to have representation on the Society's reformed Council. It will also provide professional services and information to technicians and support their continuing professional development.

"In the longer term, the APT should begin to distinguish between the regulatory 'policing' function of a modern regulator — perhaps provided by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society — and the distinct 'professional' role of an independent body," the strategy says.

In order to support its work, the APT is considering employing its first paid officer and establishing a registered office. The APT has set itself a target of presenting a case for these at its 2004 conference.