The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 275 No 7377 p661
26 November 2005

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Letters to the Editor

Supervision

Technicians are not “unqualified”

From Miss A. Thorne, RegPharmTech

I was disappointed to read that Patricia Maycock (PJ, 19 November, p633) views anyone who is not a pharmacist as “unqualified”.

Pharmacy technicians work hard to achieve qualifications such as a “BTEC” or “NVQ3”. Many go on to achieve further qualifications, ranging from in-house accreditations to foundation degrees and undertake continuing professional development. Just as for pharmacists, the role is developing and, provided that adequate training and support is in place, it is perfectly reasonable for technicians to be supervising a dispensing service and selling medicines, while not under the direct supervision of a pharmacist.

The suggestion that the service we can provide is no better or different to that provided by the local garage or supermarket is nothing short of offensive.

Ann Thorne
Bristol

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