Pharmacy Technicians – Community Pharmacy
Recent and impending changes to national Regulations and the service specifications of some national advanced services will mean that Pharmacy Technicians will be able to offer more National services, PGDs and immunisation etc. in their own right as registered healthcare professionals in a community pharmacy. These new opportunities for increasing service efficiency and maximising simultaneous delivery of key services via better use of this skill mix has not been recognised as yet by many Contractors, and many others may still be skeptical of investing in Pharmacy Technicians development due to previous adverse experiences due, e.g. to ARRS recruitment.
Nationally Commissioned Services:
Nationally Commissioned Patient Group Directives (PGD) Services
Flu Vaccination
COVID-19 Vaccination
National Contraception Service including Emergency Contraception
Plus non PGD Services
Hypertension Case-Finding Service
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)
Smoking Cessation (post-hospital discharge support)
Lateral Flow Testing (LFT)
Elements of the Discharge Medicines Service (DMS)
Locally Commissioned Services:
Locally Commissioned Patient Group Directives (PGD) Services
Emergency Hormonal Contraceptive Service (EHC)
Plus non PGD Services
NHS Health Checks
Smoking Cessation Service
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) Supply
Elements of Harm Reduction Service
Chlamydia Screening – Norfolk
Condom Supply
Additional Activities within the Pharmacy Setting:
• Leadership and team coordination
• Accuracy checking, if currently training or done additional training already.
• Training and mentoring of staff, including pre-registration pharmacy technician trainees (PTPTs)
• Medicines reconciliation; Plus Private service provision such as ear wax removal and many others.
Please note this is Draft legislation on Pharmacy Supervision
CPE are providing lots of materials to support awareness of the changes to Pharmacy Supervision.
Supervision – Community Pharmacy England
Our response to draft supervision legislation – Community Pharmacy England
Community Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship Funding 2025
The National 2025 offer is now closed please.
We will advise contractors when the next window opens.
The details of the 2025 offer are below – We anticipate similar offers going forward.
This initiative offers support for Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians (PTPTs) to undertake a 24-month apprenticeship within the community pharmacy sector.
Each successful applicant will receive £15,053 per trainee annually for two years. This funding is intended to help community pharmacies establish and run a PTPT programme aligned with the GPhC IET standards for pharmacy technicians as well as NHS England Education Quality Framework.
Pharmacy contractors who wish to apply must have completed an expression of interest online application form by Sunday, 15 June 2025. Full details and guidance can be found on the programme original webpage.
If you applied but were not successful on this occasion please message your ICB Workforce team.
Live now: Pharmacy Technician Development Programme: Preparing for the future
Applications are now open
NHS England and the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) are pleased to announce the launch of the “Pharmacy technician development programme: Preparing for the future”.
About the training programme
Preparing for the future is designed to build confidence and support pharmacy technicians to develop their skills to deliver a wider range of services, now and into the future.
Open to all pharmacy technicians, this flexible and supportive programme aims to support the development of clinical confidence, leadership skills, and professional practice. Participants will be supported throughout the programme by a dedicated education supervisor, and the programme is designed to offer a flexible, supportive learning experience, designed collaboratively with each pharmacy technician.
Delivered between October 2025 and March 2026, pharmacy technicians will engage in structured learning that enhances clinical, leadership, and decision-making skills. The programme will particularly focus on supporting pharmacy technicians to adapt to the evolving scope of practice, including recent changes to supervision legislation, the expansion of the Pharmacy First service, and the use of Patient Group Directions.
At the start of the programme, learners will work with their education supervisor to identify their individual development needs and will be supported thereafter to meet these, progressing at a pace that suits them.
Further information
- For more information and to apply for an NHS England funded place on this programme, visit the CPPE Website
- Please contact info@cppe.ac.uk with any further enquiries about this exciting training offer.
Visit NHSE website to find out more about NHS England Pharmacy Workforce Training offers
CPPE Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) Programme Open for NHS England Funded Applications 2025 / 2026
NHS England is pleased to announce that we have funded CPPE to offer the Accuracy checking pharmacy technician (ACPT) programme for pharmacy technicians working in community pharmacy, NHS hospitals, and in health and justice for 2025 / 2026.
A total of 240 NHS England-funded places are available and funding will end when all 240 places have been allocated or by the end of March 2026.
The ACPT programme is a 3-12-month training and development programme available to pharmacy technicians, with employer support. The course is designed to support pharmacy technicians in meeting a range of competencies during their training in order to deliver safe and effective patient care.
The scope of the programme is to train and assess pharmacy technicians, working in community pharmacy, health and justice and NHS hospitals, to perform the final accuracy check of dispensed items on prescriptions that have been clinically screened/ approved by a pharmacist.
The ACPT programme is open to any pharmacy technician in England, from any sector, who provide NHS services and who qualified pre-2017 GPhC Initial Education & Training Standards. Those who have train on the current standards, receive the knowledge and competencies required to carry out a final accuracy check.
Self-funded places will remain available for pharmacy technicians who do not work in community pharmacy, health and justice or in an NHS hospital for a cost of £330 including VAT.
For more information, including further eligibility criteria, please visit: https://www.cppe.ac.uk/career/acpt
ICB Support for Pharmacy Technicians
Your ICB workforce team will support you with choosing a training provider, accessing apprenticeship funds and choosing a successful candidate.
Norfolk and Waveney and SNEE ICBs are supporting contractors locally.
They plan to collaboratively produce a suite of webinars available on demand for both contractors and those interested in becoming a Pharmacy Technician. They also have some funding if you do not get accepted by the national offer you can contact.
Norfolk and Waveney Pharmacy Workforce nwicb.pharmacyworkforce@nhs.net
Suffolk and North East Essex Workforce ben.leung@snee.nhs.uk or michelle.perry@snee.nhs.uk
CTAP Enquired (NHS Regional) england.WTEpharmacy.eoe@nhs.net
You can register for a My account – Norfolk & Waveney ConnectNow to access more local information tailored to your needs. Once registered, selected “pharmacy” within your account space to ensure you see all the relevant information. On the Home page on Norfolk & Waveney ConnectNow, you can set up your own personalised search and explore the services, support, and resources available in your area.
Norfolk and Waveney ICB workforce team collaborated with SNEE ICB Workforce team to produce an introductory webinar for employers considering training a Pharmacy Technician. you can view it here: Pharmacy Technicians – Adding value to Community Pharmacy
Registration of a Pharmacy Technician
All registration-related information is available on myGPhC – Home.
To support new or returning registrants with the revalidation cycle GPhC have produced the revalidation framework. This document explains the cycle in full, with detailed descriptions of how the process runs for registrants as well as what they are required to submit, which includes descriptions of the core criteria required.
Registered Pharmacy Technicians are required to:
-
Complete Continuing Professional Development (CPD), submit annually.
-
Pay an annual registration fee.
Re-Registration of a Pharmacy Technician
All registration-related information is available on myGPhC – Home.
The GPhC Returning to the register | General Pharmaceutical Council page provides information on different returning criteria as well as any applicable documents that are required to rejoin.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Cycles
What Are the Stages of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Cycle?
The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) cycle is a structured process designed to support lifelong learning. It consists of five key phases that help guide professionals through planning and managing their development goals each year.
Stage 1 – Assessing Your Development Needs
This initial stage involves recognising areas where your skills or knowledge may be lacking. By conducting a self-evaluation or needs assessment, you can pinpoint specific competencies to enhance. This forms the foundation for setting your learning goals for the year.
Stage 2 – Creating a Development Plan
After identifying your areas for improvement, the next step is to set clear, targeted objectives. This involves outlining the types of learning activities that will help address your professional development needs and support your broader career goals.
Stage 3 – Engaging in Learning Activities
This phase focuses on participating in educational experiences such as CPD-accredited training, workshops, webinars, or online courses. The aim is to build knowledge and skills in the areas identified during your self-assessment.
Stage 4 – Evaluating What You’ve Learned
After completing a learning activity, it’s essential to review and evaluate its impact. Ask yourself: What did I gain from this experience? What new skills or knowledge did I acquire? How can I apply this to my role? This reflection ensures your learning translates into meaningful professional growth.
Stage 5 – Applying New Knowledge and Skills
The final stage involves putting your newly gained insights into action within your job role. This step completes the CPD cycle by ensuring your learning contributes directly to improved performance and career development.
Unlock your potential using 3 simple steps
Pharmacy Technician Revalidation
GPHC Annual reaccreditation submissions consist of 4 CPD, of which two must be planned, 1 peer discussion and 1 reflective account. Along with our examples page we have a page with links associated to the annual renewal process and a revalidation resources page that can direct you to our FAQs as well as the different revalidation record templates, which may be helpful for someone to use when recording their evidence. Revalidation examples | General Pharmaceutical Council
CPPE are recognised as providing a multitude of learning resources that are free to access.
NHS learning hub may offer free access sessions that might be of interest to new learners as well.
A further resource that is free for pre-registration pharmacy technicians to access is membership to the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK). Whilst registered pharmacy technicians are required to pay an annual fee to be part of APTUK, pre-registration pharmacy technicians are provided free access to their resources during their training.
Training opportunities to support growth and development of your Pharmacy Technician to offer PDG Services
PGD Educational resources
We recommend the following 3 resources to give a strong foundation for the provision of PGD Services. These are not mandatory and other resources and providers are available.
- Specialist pharmacy service Pharmacy Technicians working under PGDs
- eLfH PGD e-learning programme
- CPPE e-learning – Pharmacy technicians: using patient group directions in practice
Additional useful links can be found below to support training and CPD.
EHC
Training we recommend Pharmacy Technicians complete before offering the service
For an introduction to core learning of the CPPE gateway courses.
CPPE Emergency contraception which has an E Assesment
CPPE also recommend these courses to build confidence in providing EHC for Pharmacy Technicians wishing to offer the service the first time.
Consultation skills for pharmacy practice: taking a person-centred approach
Consultation skills: what good practice looks like
Dealing with difficult discussions
CPPE Gateway Safeguarding The Safeguarding qualifications need revisiting every 2 years
Safeguarding Children Level 1 (elearning for healthcare)
Safeguarding Children Level 2 (elearning for healthcare)
Supportive links in the provision of EHC
Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) – Suffolk County Council
Norfolk Multi-agency-safeguarding-hub-MASH
Suffolk Sexual Health Service LARC
Norfolk Copper Coil IUD | Contraception Choices Supportive links in the provision of EHC
Safeguarding Support
Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) – Suffolk County Council
Norfolk Multi-agency-safeguarding-hub-MASH
Suffolk Sexual Health Service LARC
Norfolk Copper Coil IUD | Contraception Choices
New Pharmacy Contraception service DRAFT documents
NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service June 2025 | NHSBSA
NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service Draft Document 5.3 states Packages that are highly recommended in the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service Spec Draft are indicated by an asterisk *
Following training you may need to complete a declaration of competence for some services. This can enable your employer and or the commissioner to access your training record.
External Resource
NICE clinical knowledge summaries: Contraception- emergency
NICE quality standard 129: Contraception
Suffolk Sexual Assault referral centre
The Harbour Centre Norfolk SARC
Local Formularies
Norfolk and Waveney Prescribing, Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation – Knowledge NoW
CPPE Half day Pharmacy Technician PGD training event – 25 January 2026 – Park Farm Hotel, Hethersett, Norwich, England, NR9 3DL
‘To empower pharmacy technicians to apply their skills and knowledge confidently and competently when using Patient Group Directions (PGDs) to deliver NHS services using contraception, emergency contraception and smoking cessation services as examples.’
Learning outcomes
On completion of all aspects of this learning programme you should be able to:
- demonstrate professional responsibility with increased confidence when delivering NHS services, including supplying or administering medicines using a PGD
- apply the regulatory framework for PGDs to practical scenarios
- integrate person-centred care and shared decision-making principles into clinical consultations
- identify situations where referral to other healthcare professionals would be appropriate, when working under PGDs
- build a collaborative peer support network to share best practice in service delivery
- formulate and implement practical strategies to deliver NHS services confidently and competently using PGDs.
Cancellation policy : CPPE will apply to bookings
UEA opportunities for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians Pharmacy Practice Professional Development
University of East Anglia School of Chemistry Pharmacy and Pharmacology Diploma of Higher education in Advanced Pharmacy Technician practice.
There is no formal funding like the CPTAP programmes however different NHSE Regions will have NHS Education Funding Guides that you can access. UEA would recommend contacting your regional chief Pharmacy Technicians for this. Funding is often a percentage with trainees/organisations expected to top up. NHS Education Funding Guide may be helpful.
This is a part time course with Study days online.
Cost: £1950 per year i.e. 2 modules
£3900 for 2 years – Certificate of Higher education
£7800 for 4 years – Diploma of Higher Education
This course is permanently available. Cohort 1 is September 2025. Course with intakes are in January and September each year.
Look here for more information on the course. UEA website also gives a great Insite to this course.
Applications through UEA Applications website. (You will need to create an account to make an application.)
Any questions please email pt.dip@uea.ac.uk
INTERNSHIP
The East of England region, hosted by The James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and partners, have received national funding to support an extended health and care professional internship award from 2025- 2028.
The internships are short duration awards (up to 6 months) for health and care professionals/practitioners (HCPs) who have, or aspire to have, research as part of their work. The internship provides an opportunity for professional development, education and training to explore incorporating research further into their role and professional practice.
This expanded internship award is for registered health and care professionals / practitioners who may be
– In clinical or practitioner roles with little or no research experience to champion research and/or undertake activities to support and embed the application of research evidence in practice
– In research delivery roles who want to use an internship to extend their research delivery skills, improve research delivery and engagement, and/or gain experience in wider aspects of the research process
– In Enhanced or Advanced Practitioner roles who want to develop the research pillar of their role and/or to develop team research culture and confidence
– Aspiring to be clinical or practitioner academics who want to develop their research knowledge and skills to lay foundations for preparing to apply for a pre-doctoral level award
Whether you have no research experience at all, or whether you are considering applying for research at doctoral level, you are welcome to apply for this programme.
Applicants must be registered with one of the programmes approved regulatory bodies (this includes the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)) plus –
- a) Work in the East of England region in NHS healthcare, social care and public health settings
- b) Have signed support from their employer for the duration of the programme
Applications close Friday 17 October 2025.
Please see the following link for more information – East of England NIHR Health and Care Professional (EoE HCP) Internship Programme | James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Subject to Regulatory changes
In anticipation of the expansion of the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service to include emergency contraception, the updated service specification and patient group directions (PGDs) will be published on NHS England’s website on Monday 20 October 2025. This will allow community pharmacy teams to prepare for the service expansion, including the delivery of PGDs by pharmacy technicians.
NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service June 2025 | NHSBSA
NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service DRAFT Document
Final Draft PGDs
What opportunity do you see to be able to support a successful community pharmacy business?
Pharmacy Technicians play a crucial role in the effective operation of community pharmacies. Depending on team structure, leading, or certainly helping to lead the pharmacy team, ensuring day-to-day operations run smoothly, enabling pharmacists to focus on clinical responsibilities and patient care.
A Pharmacy Technician’s leadership helps:
• Maximise workflow efficiency
• Deliver high-quality, locally relevant services
• Ensure alignment with business objectives and cost-effectiveness
• Meet patient needs and improve health outcomes
Pharmacy Technicians also contribute to developing staff capabilities and maintaining high standards of service delivery, further enhancing the reputation and performance of the pharmacy.
New opportunities
In due course when Regs change- We anticipate before October 2025 (tbc).
Pharmacy Technicians will have commissioning to provide the NHS Contraception Service including Emergency Oral Contraception. This is promoted as being nationally commissioned to pharmacy with Patient Group Direction PGDS for Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacists to provide.
Do you feel that the proposed changes to the Pharmacy Technicians role will make it more attractive?
We believe the proposed enhancements to the Pharmacy Technicians role—particularly the ability to deliver Patient Group Direction (PGD) services and vaccinations—significantly increase the appeal of the job.
These developments elevate the Pharmacy Technicians skill set and provide clear pathways for professional growth, all while allowing individuals to remain within the community pharmacy setting. The expanded scope offers meaningful opportunities for career progression and increased job satisfaction.
It is recognised that some additional support may be required for Pharmacy Technicians taking on such new roles, and resources are available. (CPPE, LPCs etc.).
