The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education – an employer-led public body not affiliated with a government department – oversaw the 10-day consultation on proposals for a five-year pharmacist apprenticeship scheme, which closed on Sunday (April 14).

The consultation, which the institute said was “circulated to stakeholders and representative groups”, attracted a range of comments and reaction on social media ahead of Sunday's deadline.

The institute told C+D today (April 16) that now the first stage of the consultation has closed, a “health and science route panel” will review the proposal, along with a summary of the consultation responses, and make a recommendation to the institute’s board, who will make the final decision on whether to move ahead with proposals.

The panel is chaired by Kirk Lower, a national lead for apprenticeships at Health Education England’s healthcare apprenticeship group Talent for Care.

The panel meets every six weeks to consider submissions from “trailblazer groups” – groups of at least 10 employers that propose apprenticeships – the institute said.

Lloydspharmacy part of “trailblazer group”

Lloydspharmacy confirmed to C+D today it is among the group of at least 10 pharmacy employers – which also includes Boots and Well – that proposed the pharmacist apprenticeships.

“We feel it is important to be part of the initial discussions in order to shape the right solution that is best for both our business and the profession as a whole,” the multiple said.

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) told C+D it is not part of the “trailblazer group”.

However, “we were invited to a meeting with a wide range of other organisations to give our views about an apprenticeship standard for pharmacists”, it said.