GovWire

The consultation sought responses from a wide range of stakeholders on proposals to amend the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (HMRs) to enable pharmacy technicians to supply and administer medicines using patient group directions (PGDs). The consultation ran for a period of 6 weeks, closing on 29 September 2023.

We received 2,267 responses from a range of organisations, including the General Pharmaceutical Council, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, health service delivery bodies, and from private and not-for-profit organisations.

The feedback from the consultation was positive, with most respondents (84%) in agreement with the proposal to amend the HMRs to enable pharmacy technicians to supply and administer medicines to patients using PGDs.

The consensus amongst respondents was that this would benefit patients, the profession, and the NHS. This included a strong belief that the patient journey would be improved as treatment will be more efficient, reducing delays and freeing up pharmacists time.

The role of pharmacy technician in Northern Ireland is not a registered healthcare profession. Therefore, the changes will not currently enable pharmacy technicians in Northern Ireland to usePGDs. However, once pharmacy technicians in Northern Ireland become a registered healthcare profession, a further amendment to theHMRsmay be made to permit this.

Given the high level of support for this proposal, the government will progress with legislation to amend the HMRs 2012. This change will apply to England, Wales and Scotland.