The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) has warned the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) that it risks the future of the pharmacy profession if it presses ahead with its proposals for the initial education and training of pharmacists.

The proposals, which were put out for consultation, include one set of standards and learning outcomes covering the full period of education and training marked by “closer integration between academic study and practical experience” and an improvement in “experiential” and “inter-professional learning.”

Warning the proposals were “severely lacking in detail,” the PDA cautioned the GPhC against making any changes as a result of the consultation and urged the regulator to launch “a more detailed” consultation “to allow better informed responses.”

The PDA’s recommendations include clarifying funding arrangements for pharmacy students, maintaining regulatory requirements such as pre-reg tutors having to work as registered pharmacists for a minimum of three years in the UK and ensuring technicians do not act as supervisors to pharmacists.

“Broadly speaking, we would like to see the format of pharmacists’ training aligned with that of other healthcare professionals, with structured professional career frameworks for pharmacists in the different sectors of practice, underpinned by standardised pre and post registration training pathways,” the PDA said.

“However, we found the GPhC’s proposals to be severely lacking in detail. The considerable adjustments to education and training proposed within this consultation would have a significant impact on the future of the profession.”

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society recently warned the GPhC that it will not achieve closer integration between academic study and practical learning without substantial funding.

Picture: Steve Debenport (iStock)