Pharmacy technicians

What is a pharmacy technician?

A pharmacy technician is a member of the pharmacy team. They work on the front line of health care supporting patients in a range of community settings.

Alongside pharmacists, they work to ensure patients get their medicines safely and effectively and understand how to take their medication.

What does a pharmacy technician do?

Pharmacy technicians are often the first point of contact for patients. They play an essential role in:

• Providing healthcare guidance and information to patients
• Taking in prescriptions, preparing and dispensing medicines
• Supporting patients to access to health service
• Managing medicine stock, including ordering medicines
• Delivering public health advice
• Supervising other pharmacy staff / training and development.

How do I become a pharmacy technician?  

Training to become a Pharmacy Technician involves 2 years of “on-the-job” training – which means you will be paid as you learn! Pharmacy technicians working in England, Scotland and Wales must register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). There are a number of steps you must take before you can register with the GPhC as a technician:

• The entry requirements vary, but as a general rule you will need four GCSEs at Grade 4 and above (or equivalent), including mathematics, English language and two sciences. 
• Training to become a pharmacy technician takes two years. The training programme combines practical work and study and you must work under the guidance of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician.
• During this time, you will need to be enrolled on a course accredited or recognised by the GPhC. To apply to a course . To apply, you’ll need to be employed and working in a pharmacy.
• Finally, you must meet the fitness to practice requirement for registration. This means you have the have the skills, knowledge, character and health necessary to do your job safely. 

How much do pharmacy technicians get paid?

Community pharmacy salaries are constantly reviewed based on the current circumstances and, as such, may vary.

A pharmacy technician working in Community Pharmacy can expect to earn around £18,000 – £25,000 a year.

This will depend on experience and responsibilities, benefits, number of hours worked and where in the UK they are based.