Plans to ‘modernise’ pharmacy supervision rules revealed

The government has today laid out plans to ‘modernise’ pharmacy supervision rules, with draft legislation expected to be published imminently.

Proposed amendments to the Medicines Act 1968 and The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 are intended to free up pharmacist time by allowing registered pharmacy technicians to take on more responsibility.

The changes, developed following consultation with pharmacy professionals and stakeholders in 2023, are expected to come into effect by the end of 2025, with a one-year transition period for the bulk of the measures to allow for the development of professional standards and guidance.

The government said the draft legislation would be published shortly, but the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) confirmed it had already seen the document.

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According to the RPS, the legislation will enable:

• Trained team members to hand out checked and bagged prescriptions, bringing legislation in line with current practices such as home delivery and lock box services
• Pharmacists to authorise registered pharmacy technicians to carry out, or supervise others carrying out, the preparation, assembly, dispensing, sale and supply of medicines
• Pharmacy technicians to supervise the preparation, assembly and dispensing of medicines in hospital aseptic facilities.

Pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock said the changes will allow pharmacists to ‘spend more time providing clinical care, while qualified pharmacy technicians can take greater responsibility for routine tasks’.

He added: ‘This will improve patient experience and help avoid delays in accessing medicines when the pharmacist is not available.

‘These are simple, common-sense changes that will help pharmacies run better, saving staff and patient time.’

Professor Claire Anderson, RPS president, said the draft legislation reflected a ‘more collaborative, team-based approach to pharmacy that will help pharmacists focus on patient-facing clinical care while ensuring safety remains paramount’.

The RPS said it will be collaborating with DHSC, the General Pharmaceutical Council, the Association of Pharmacy Technicians, the Pharmaceutical Society NI and the Pharmacy Forum of Northern Ireland in the move towards implementation.

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The RPS added it will be developing guidance in partnership for the pharmacy professions and pharmacy teams on handing out pre-checked medicine bags in the pharmacy, along with safe and effective models of authorisation of pharmacy technicians

‘We will continue to work with the regulator and partners across the pharmacy professions to shape a future where all members of the pharmacy team are empowered to contribute fully to patient care,’ added Professor Anderson.

The RPS had urged legislators to act on supervision 'as soon as possible' after submitting its response to the government consultation before the last election.

Malcolm Harrison, chief executive of the Company Chemists' Association (CCA), also welcomed the changes, saying they could 'provide the basis for the greatest evolution in pharmacy practice for 90 years'.

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He added that the legislation could be instrumental in 'bringing community pharmacy practice into the 21st century'.

An impact assessment carried out by DHSC in 2023 predicted the changes could free up time for between 29% and 40% of pharmacists.