The Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK) has appointed Amy Laflin as its next president, it yesterday (November 17) announced.
APTUK said that prior to becoming president on November 7, Laflin served as the body’s interim president and vice president - and had previously volunteered as its education director and national officer since 2018.
Laflin, who has worked in pharmacy for over two decades and been a pharmacy technician for 13 years, currently works as programme lead for pharmacy, dental and science at West Suffolk College, it added.
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APTUK said that Laflin was “the sole nominee” for presidency and that under its standing orders, the board of directors and executive committee have “validated the nomination and concluded that it meets the requirements for the role”.
The president is “a director of APTUK” and the organisation’s “lead ambassador”, as well as bearing “significant responsibility, accountability and authority…to ensure plans are developed and implemented” and being a “key representative” for the profession, it added.
And it said that Laflin’s term will run for two years from November this year to November 2027.
“Unrivalled” dedication
The APTUK board of directors said that it is “a critical time for pharmacy technicians as the profession undergoes significant evolution” and that Laflin’s “dedication to APTUK and the profession is unrivalled”.
It added that she “advocates tirelessly for the pharmacy technician profession” and is “experienced, knowledgeable of APTUK vision and standards and demonstrates strength in her values and vision”.
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Laflin said that she will “continue to advocate for the recognition, development and empowerment” of pharmacy technicians “across all sectors”.
“Having served as interim president over the past five months, I have witnessed the strength and passion within our community and profession - and I look forward to continuing to lead with purpose, ensuring our profession remains visible, valued and equipped to deliver exceptional care,” she added.
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It comes after former APTUK president Nicola Stockmann announced in July that she had resigned from the role “to focus on [her] family and other areas of [her] life” following “a period of time away” to reflect.
Meanwhile, a new consultation launched by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) last month revealed that it plans to increase the level of study for pharmacy technicians from level 3 to “at least” level 4.
The regulator also announced plans to “mandate a science subject entry requirement” of at least level 2 or equivalent to “increase the basic knowledge expected of applicants”, which could include “previous practice-based learning”.
