Pharmacy technicians undervalued and underpaid, reveals study
Many of England青瓜视频檚 pharmacy technicians are forced to endure low pay, poor job satisfaction, bullying, lack of support and stressful work environments, a by University of Manchester researchers has shown.
The findings from a survey and interviews provide an important context to the retention crisis for pharmacy technicians, who are leaving their current employers or the role altogether in numbers.
Published in the journal Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy this week, the study reveals their role is characterised by heavy workloads, inadequate staffing, and lack of support.
A minority of the 603 respondents - 489 of which were women - also reported favouritism, bullying, and racism, especially in community pharmacies and some hospitals.
The findings are a stark warning to policy makers that urgent action is needed to retain the 26,500-strong English pharmacy technician workforce.
After formal recognition of the role in the early 2000s, registration was made mandatory in 2011, requiring two years of study.
Pharmacy technicians are now regulated pharmacy professionals, who are taking on increasing levels of responsibility in community and hospitals, and increasing numbers are working in general practice.
Government plans for newly qualified pharmacists registering as independent prescribers from 2026 and delivery of increasing levels of clinical services through community pharmacies will mean pharmacy technicians are needed to take on more responsibility to free up pharmacists青瓜视频� time.
However, according to NHS England, current workforce projections (Based on 2021 figure from Health Education England. Pharmacy Technician and Pharmacy Support Staff Workforce Development Strategy) suggest the number of pharmacy technicians will not meet the demand, which could lead to a vacancy rate of 9% across the acute and primary care sectors.
NHSE also estimates that vacancy rates in community pharmacies are even starker at 20% and rising.
Lead author Dr Imelda , research fellow at The University of Manchester said: 青瓜视频淥ur study discovered many complexities behind the falling numbers of pharmacy technicians.
青瓜视频淭hese include low pay, limited career advancement, lack of recognition by employers and stressful work environments, characterised by heavy workloads, inadequate staffing, and lack of support.
青瓜视频淥ur evidence shows that staff turnover is influenced by a multitude of factors such as career commitment, organisational commitment, job satisfaction and job stress.
青瓜视频淏ut as Government policy sees their role as increasingly important, these issues need to be resolved.青瓜视频�
Our study discovered many complexities behind the falling numbers of pharmacy technicians. These include low pay, limited career advancement, lack of recognition by employers and stressful work environments, characterised by heavy workloads, inadequate staffing, and lack of support
Co-author and the study青瓜视频檚 principal investigator Professor Ellen said: 青瓜视频淭here are challenges preventing pharmacy technicians from effectively fulfilling their expanded roles.
青瓜视频淥ne is the lack of clarity surrounding their roles and responsibilities, particularly in community pharmacy settings.
青瓜视频淏ut the heart of the problem could lie in the lack of adequate support and recognition of their inherent value, leading to job dissatisfaction and high turnover rates.
She added: 青瓜视频�Employers need to address compensation disparities, offering fair and competitive wages that reflect the pharmacy technician's extended roles and responsibilities.
青瓜视频淧rioritising career development opportunities, such as mentorship, demonstrates a commitment to pharmacy technician growth and job satisfaction.
青瓜视频淐ultivating supportive and inclusive work environments is equally important. This involves fostering a culture that values pharmacy technician contributions and promotes work-life balance.
青瓜视频淎 stable, committed workforce, will benefit the organisation, the pharmacy technician青瓜视频檚 workforce and ultimately, patient care.青瓜视频�
It was sent by the NHS England funded Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) to 11,762 people who had agreed to be contacted for marketing and evaluation purposes.
The team also carried out 19 qualitative interviews to understand the views and experiences of pharmacy technicians and the factors that contribute to their intention to leave practice.
One of the respondents told the researchers: 青瓜视频�Within the career itself, I don't think pharmacy technicians青瓜视频� role is very well described. People don't actually know what we do.青瓜视频�
Another said: 青瓜视频淚 have left community pharmacy after 10 years of stress and bullying by customers, staff and management.青瓜视频�
And another commented: 青瓜视频�you could get 青瓜视频3 an hour more stacking shelves in supermarket, which is pretty eye opening.青瓜视频n pharmacy you make a mistake and you have got a whole raft of things that you need to be seriously worried about and that is only worth 30 pence more an hour.青瓜视频�
The paper Why are pharmacy technicians leaving?: Factors contributing to turnover intention and strategies for retention is available