New standards for the initial education and training of pharmacy technician shave been published by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
Released today, changes to the standards include the raising of the minimum level of study for pharmacy technicians from Level 3 to Level 4, and the requirement for trainee technicians to “demonstrate competence in final accuracy checking before registration”.
Read more: GPhC approves raising pharmacy technician training to level 4
Trainee pharmacy technicians will now also be expected to hold a minimum Level 2 science qualification or equivalent upon beginning their technician training.
The new standards are also said to allow for “greater flexibility” in supervised workplace learning. The GPhC said the standards embed “the expanded role of pharmacy technicians”, and account for technicians’ ability to “supply and administer medicines” and “to take responsibility for preparing, dispensing and supplying medicines”.
Read more: Tech training ‘immediate opportunity’ for Pharmacy First
Training will now also place greater importance on digital systems and the use of AI in an “informed, safe and ethical way”.
The changes were introduced following a GPhC consultation which received 880 responses from individuals and organisations across the UK.
Read more: GPhC plans to raise pharmacy tech training to level 4 by 2029
The changes come after RCPharm wrote to the government calling for full and equal access to the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) for pharmacy students.
Since September 2025, pharmacy students have had access to travel and dual accommodation expenses under the LSF, but still lack access to “a training grant, parental support and an exceptional support fund”.
