Continued membership of the European Association of Pharmacy Technicians (EAPT)

The APTUK Board of Directors has recently met to review and agree our key priorities for the coming year, in consideration with the current challenges faced by the profession.

We agreed with the support of our members, the need to focus on:

• The introduction of new initial educational standards for pharmacy technicians, which in turn mean changes to the delivery of qualifications.

• Supporting our members with the changes to revalidation by our regulator, the General Pharmaceutical Council.

• Developing our branch network to improve engagement with existing and potential members, especially the community sector.

• Developing frameworks for foundation and advance practice, in conjunction with outputs from studies to examine the current and future roles of pharmacy technicians.

• Focus on strengthening national strategic and policy links with home countries (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).

As a result, we have seriously considered the current EAPT objectives and how they align with APTUK priorities and capacity. As you are aware all officers and directors have full time day jobs, we undertake APTUK commitments in a voluntary capacity. The Board have made the difficult decision to withdraw our continuing membership with EAPT and will not be renewing this year. The Board acknowledges the significant input by Tess Fenn and previous APTUK representatives; however the Board found it challenging to provide tangible outcomes to support any of the above key priorities. We appreciate that this is not positive news and hope that our rationale explains our current position. The Board intend to keep lines of communication open so that we can advise/support any projects that EAPT feel would be of mutual benefit for APTUK and our members. The Board will of course keep EAPT on the agenda and review our position in 2020 as APTUK strengthens.