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About us

The Association of Pharmacy Technicians United Kingdom (APTUK) is the national professional leadership body for pharmacy technicians working in all pharmacy sectors across all countries in the UK: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

APTUK is the professional leadership body for pharmacy technicians working in all pharmacy sectors across all countries in the UK: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

We lead, advocate and represent the pharmacy technician profession for the benefit of patients, the public and our members.

We are a network of like-minded professionals, helping to shape the future for pharmacy technicians.

We provide advice, information and support to our members, championing the pharmacy technician profession and enhancing education and scope of practice.

Our history

APTUK was formed in January 1952 by Katherine L Miles MBE to gain recognition, remuneration and registration for pharmacy technicians. Katherine Miles through dedication and determination petitioned the then Department of Health and Social Services committee for this recognition and in March1952 they agreed to recognise the qualified workforce.

Our name of ‘Association of Pharmacy Technicians’ was agreed by the APTUK committee in 1966. The Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK) has been in existence ever since and it has always been run by pharmacy technicians for pharmacy technicians.

We have continued to campaign on behalf of our members to ensure the professional voice of pharmacy technicians is heard, beginning with our vision to register pharmacy technicians.

In July 2011 it became mandatory that all pharmacy technicians must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council to practise in England, Scotland and Wales. The register provides protection for patients by ensuring only those qualified, competent and under a duty to maintain high standards can work as pharmacy technicians in Great Britain. Those not registered, but practising as a pharmacy technician or referring to themselves as such, are breaking the law and can be prosecuted.

You can view a short video on our history below. 

The Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK is the Professional Leadership Body for registered pharmacy technicians working in the UK.

Our vision - Leading and supporting a recognised and valued pharmacy technician profession.

Our aims are: 

  • To maintain, safeguard and enhance the professional and education standards by responding to the evolving needs of pharmacy technicians
  • To influence and improve the education of both pre-registration trainee and registered pharmacy technicians
  • To support innovation through quality systems to enhance the safe and effective supply and use of medicines
  • To maintain links and professional relationships with the pharmacy regulator and professional pharmacy bodies to advise on the greater use of pharmacy technicians
  • To promote and support professional empowerment of pharmacy technicians as an integral part of the pharmacy team

Our values

Professional - We use knowledge, skills and judgement to deliver the highest standard of person centred care

Visionary - We take a proactive approach to lead and maximise the potential of the pharmacy technician profession for the future.

Committed - We are dedicated to the profession, our members and the association

Integrity - We behave honestly, openly, reliably and always take responsibility

Collaborative - We work together and seek involvement for the best outcomes

Inclusive - We will be inclusive and encourage people to bring their whole selves to APTUK

Our mission

Through strong, influential, and professional leadership we will ensure that the voice of the pharmacy technician is heard. We will develop a valued profession recognised in its own right, extending scope of practice to improve pharmacy services to benefit patients’ lives.

To achieve our mission and goals, APTUK works closely with the General Pharmaceutical Council; and collaboratively with the other pharmacy organisations to deliver professional excellence. We are commitied to representing the value of registration for pharmacy technicians practising in Northern Ireland by working with the Pharmaceutical Society Northern Ireland.

APTUK holds collaboration mandates with:

Centre of Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE)
Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Primary Care Pharmacy Association

Our commitments to members

  • Influence change for the advancement and safeguarding of the pharmacy technician profession
  • Represent the opinions of our members and respond to the professional needs of pharmacy technicians
  • Provide developmental support for the delivery of patient centred professionalism
  • Actively pursue the sharing of knowledge and experience through professional networking and collaborative working
  • Promote the pharmacy technician profession, foundation and advanced roles, within the pharmacy team, to shape its future development.

 

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