Applications are now open for a new national development programme aimed at supporting pharmacy technicians to expand their skills and adapt to changes in practice.
The programme, called Preparing for the future, has been launched by NHS England and the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE), and will run from October 2025 to March 2026 and will be open for enrolments throughout this period.
It includes one-to-one support from a dedicated education supervisor. Each participant will begin by working with their supervisor to identify individual development needs and progress through the programme at a pace designed to suit them.
The programme will focus in particular on the evolving scope of pharmacy technician practice, including the impact of recent changes to supervision legislation and the use of Patient Group Directions (PGDs).
The launch follows a consultation opened earlier this month by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) on changes to the education and training of pharmacy technicians, recognising the ‘evolving’ role of the profession.
Earlier this year the GPhC said it will look for a pharmacy technician to provide 'professional leadership and advice' as it considers how the profession could do more to support patient healthcare.
Chief pharmacy officer at the GPhC, Roz Gittins, said the regulator was 'looking for an individual who is ready to work in a new way, providing professional leadership and advice relating to where pharmacy technicians can add value to national healthcare priorities'.
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