The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7324 p697
6 November 2004

Society summary

Pharmacy support staff

Timetable for implementation of technician regulation announced

The timetable for implementation of the voluntary registration of pharmacy technicians, which is to be phased in by August 2005, has been announced by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. The timetable is as follows:

· January 2005 — Start registration for applicants requiring no screening

· April/May 2005 — Start registration for those with UK qualifications whose applications will require further scrutiny

· July/August 2005 — Start registration for applicants with qualifications gained outside the UK

The Society approved a regulatory framework for pharmacy technicians in December 2002 (PJ, 14 December 2002, p863). Statutory powers are being sought via an Order under Section 60 of the 1999 Health Act and statutory registration will begin as soon as practicable after the necessary legislation is in place, probably in 2007. In the long term, there will be a single national standard for entry to the register based on the Pharmacy Services S/NVQ level 3 qualification.

For a transitional period, beginning in 2005, during which grandparenting arrangements will apply, the Society will accept a range of current and older qualifications developed for pharmacy technicians, but pharmacy technicians applying to register with these qualifications will also have to provide evidence of recent work experience within criteria set by the Society.

Applications from pharmacy technicians with a relevant qualification who do not meet the Society’s work experience criteria will be subject to further scrutiny. Separate processes are being developed for pharmacy technicians with qualifications gained outside the UK.

Janet Flint, the Society’s head of support staff regulation, said: “The majority of applications will be straightforward and by adopting a phased approach we can begin to process these in January when the register opens.”