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The GPhC is to put forward proposals for overhauling the pharmacy technician training framework, including plans to for “moving the level of study” from Level 3 to Level 4. 

The change in the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level, which is the equivalent of moving from A-level study to the first year of a bachelor’s degree or higher national certificate, is one of a number of plans set out in meeting papers ahead of the regulator’s council meeting this Thursday (July 17).

The GPhC said it is preparing to launch a public consultation this September on its proposals to update the initial education and training (IET) of pharmacy technicians, which it said is needed to reflect “ongoing changes to healthcare services and delivery along with professional priorities at local and national levels” since the current framework was adopted in 2017. 

This is partly driven by a Government consultation on redrafting supervision legislation to allow pharmacists to authorise pharmacy technicians to take responsibility for the preparation, dispensing and supply of medicines. 

At present, some educational institutes offer ‘enhanced’ Level 4 training courses for registered pharmacy technicians, but the proposed new arrangements would see all future registrants trained to that level. 

In addition to raising the RQF level, the consultation – which was initially slated to launch in late 2024 – will seek views on whether training courses should be required to cover the “use of technologies” to better reflect “current and developing practice”.

“Greater multisector training will also be encouraged through the new proposed standards,” said the regulator, adding that sustainability and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are other proposed focus areas. 

A working group made up of GPhC staff and council members will meet on July 25 for the first time to review elements of the draft consultation documents and provide feedback to the council as a whole.

Highlighting the potential risks arising from the preparations for the consultation, the GPhC acknowledged that the working group “may not be able to find consensus” and “may not have sufficient time to review and consider all documentation in advance,” both of which the regulator will attempt to mitigate.