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.
Full details on this programme can be found here.
Click in the link for the UEA Certificate of Higher Education Certificate of Higher Education in Pharmacy Technician Practice Apprenticeship 2026/27 | UEA webpage.
Any enquiries please email enquiries.ptpt@uea.ac.uk
UEA next cohort will start on 21/09/2026 fitting in well with the timelines for those who successfully receive NHSE funding. UEA are currently accepting expressions of interest for this cohort.
CPPE are offering 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.
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
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:
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Complete Continuing Professional Development (CPD), submit annually.
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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.
UPDATE 4/11/25 Standards for revalidation reflective account set for 2026 -The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) have announced that from 1 January 2026, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can select any of the nine standards for pharmacy professionals for their revalidation reflective account. The same requirements regarding reflection against one of more of the standards is required.
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.
Phase One
| 7 January 2026 | Pharmacists can authorise pharmacy teams to hand out checked and bagged prescriptions (Human Medicines Regulation 2012, Regulation 220B) |
CPE are providing lots of materials to support awareness of the changes to Pharmacy Supervision.
Supervision – Community Pharmacy England
Phase Two
| 10 December 2026 | Pharmacists can authorise pharmacy technicians to undertake or supervise the preparation, assembly, dispensing and sale and supply of medicines, that would otherwise need to be performed by or under the supervision of a pharmacist (Medicines Act 1968, Section 10 and 10A and Human Medicines Regulations 2012, Regulation 220A) |
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 and 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 Supportive links in the provision of EHC
New Pharmacy Contraception service documents
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
UEA opportunities for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians Pharmacy Practice Professional Development
Any questions please email pt.dip@uea.ac.uk
Level 6 Enhanced Clinical Practitioner Apprenticeship
March 2026 IntakeThis advanced level qualification for pharmacy technicians in any patient facing sector including GP practice / PCN and community pharmacy.
This post-registration programme has a specific pathway for pharmacy technicians who are ready to take the next step in their clinical career. The programme is suitable for pharmacy technicians looking to enhance their role within multidisciplinary teams across all sectors including hospitals (NHS and private healthcare), GP practices, and community settings.
Whether you missed the January intake or are newly exploring this exciting opportunity, this upcoming cohort provides the perfect chance to join one of the most in-demand clinical development programmes available.
Have questions?
If you’d like to discuss eligibility, entry requirements, funding options, or details of the apprenticeship content and structure, simply reply to this email or contact Buttercups at sales@buttercups.co.uk
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.).
