Pharmacy technicians play a vital role in supporting general practice teams by ensuring safe and efficient medication management. They work alongside pharmacists, GPs, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to optimise patient care and improve prescribing practices. Their role is evolving, with increasing opportunities to take on patient-facing activities and contribute to service development.

Skills required by a Pharmacy Technician include:

• good communication skills
• ability to work effectively with your colleagues, patients and the public
• be able to maintain confidentiality and privacy
• to be responsible, accurate and methodical, with good attention to detail
• an interest in helping people and improving people’s health

• Supporting medication reconciliation and safety reviews, ensuring accurate records and minimizing errors
• Managing repeat prescriptions, reducing medication waste, and supporting cost-effective prescribing
• Providing patient education on medication use, including correct administration and adherence strategies
• Assisting with audits, compliance, and governance to ensure best practice in prescribing and medication management
• Supporting long-term condition management by monitoring medication effectiveness and liaising with prescribers
• Implementing digital health solutions such as electronic prescribing and medication review systems

Working as a pharmacy technician in general practice provides a rewarding opportunity to enhance patient outcomes, develop professional skills, and work as part of a multidisciplinary team in primary care. It offers the chance to gain experience in chronic disease management, personalised care, and quality improvement initiatives.

Pharmacy technicians play a key role in medicines optimisation, helping to ensure that patients receive the right medication at the right dose and time. By conducting medication reviews, identifying potential interactions, and promoting adherence, they contribute to better health outcomes and patient safety.

By managing repeat prescriptions, conducting medicine reconciliations, and providing support to prescribers, pharmacy technicians improve workflow efficiency in general practice. This helps reduce GP workload, allowing more time for patient consultations and complex cases.

Pharmacy technicians work closely with pharmacists, GPs, nurses, and social care teams to develop integrated approaches to medication management. Their role supports multidisciplinary working and contributes to a holistic approach to patient care, particularly for those with multiple medications or long-term conditions.

By reviewing prescriptions and supporting adherence strategies, pharmacy technicians help patients with long-term conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, and hypertension, manage their medications effectively. They also support the monitoring of high-risk medications, ensuring patients receive appropriate tests and follow-up care.

Pharmacy supervision consultation: government response – GOV.UK

To work as a pharmacy technician in general practice, individuals must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). (see information above)

This programme will support pre-registration trainee pharmacy technician’s (PTPTs) to be employed and complete their full 24-month apprenticeship training within a community pharmacy setting.

Upon completion of training and registration with the general pharmaceutical council (GPhC), the pharmacy technician will be able to support community pharmacy to utilise the expertise and knowledge of registered professional as part of community pharmacy services and the wider healthcare reform.

A person can train within general practice (with often time spent in another pharmacy setting such as community pharmacy during their 2 year programme) and funding is available to support this

Pre-registration trainee pharmacy technician (PTPT) | NHS England | Workforce, training and education

Pharmacy technicians are encouraged to engage in ongoing professional development,
including:

• Clinical skills training in areas such as cardiovascular risk assessment and inhaler technique coaching
• Leadership and management courses to support career progression
• Digital healthcare and informatics training to improve efficiency and patient safety

There are multiple career pathways for pharmacy technicians in general practice,
including:

• Lead Pharmacy Technician roles in Primary Care Networks (PCNs)
• Medicines Optimisation and Safety roles within integrated care systems (ICS)
• Educational and training roles to support workforce development and supervising pharmacy trainees

NHS Healthcare Careers – Pharmacy Technician

CPPE PCPEP is open to pharmacy technicians in Primary care pharmacy education pathway : CPPE

Career pathway for post-registration pharmacy technician practice | PCPA – Primary Care Pharmacy Association

Patient Group Directions – elearning for healthcare

Pharmacy technicians: using patient group directions in practice : CPPE

Pharmacy technicians working under Patient Group Directions – SPS – Specialist Pharmacy Service – The first stop for professional medicines advice