The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7255 p886
28 June 2003

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  Modernisation
  Technicians
  Omeprazole
  Paroxetine
  Drug tariff
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Letters to the Editor

Technicians

Dual registration as pharmacist and technician

From Ms J. L. Flint, MRPharmS

Your report of the June Council meeting (PJ, 14 June, p839–41) included some of the policy decisions that the Council has made regarding eligibility for dual registration as both a pharmacy technician and as a pharmacist (subject to the Society proceeding to regulate technicians). Although the report is correct, I am writing to provide further clarification on some of the issues.

• That a requirement to demonstrate continuing fitness to practise as a pharmacy technician through participation in continuing professional development is likely to be required for all registered pharmacy technicians — including those with dual registration

• That pharmacy technicians who go on, or have gone on, to train as a pharmacist will be able to remain on the pharmacy technician register — in addition to the pharmacist register if they so wish

• That separate registration fees will apply for each register and that there will be no reduction in registration fees for anyone considering dual registration

• That we anticipate only a very small number of people, if any, wanting dual registration as both a pharmacist and a pharmacy technician

Janet Flint
Project Manager, Support Staff Regulation,
Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Misconduct results in removal from both registers

From Mr D. Leech

I write as both president of the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK and a member of the Society's steering group on the regulation of support staff. In your report of the Council meeting (PJ, 14 June, p839) you said that the Council has made some policy decisions regarding eligibility for dual registration as both a pharmacy technician and as a pharmacist (subject to the Society proceeding to regulate technicians).

At the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK annual conference in April 2003, it was made clear that the association fully supported the proposal. However, the overwhelming view of our members and executive committee is that anyone removed from one register because of proven misconduct should also, automatically, be removed from the other. The suggestion that a pharmacist removed from the register because of proven misconduct could still practise as a pharmacy technician, is clearly unacceptable. The association is pleased to note that the Society's Council decision reflects this view.

Darren Leech
President
Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK

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