The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has welcomed the publication of draft legislation from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and devolved governments following the 2023 consultation on pharmacy supervision which proposed amendments to the Medicines Act 1968 and The Human Medicines Regulations 2012. 

The proposed changes mark a significant step forward in modernising pharmacy practice and enabling better use of the skill mix within pharmacy teams.  

The legislation will enable:

• Trained team members to hand out checked and bagged prescriptions, bringing legislation in line with current practices such as home delivery and lock box services
• Pharmacists to authorise registered pharmacy technicians to carry out, or supervise others carrying out, the preparation, assembly, dispensing, sale and supply of medicines
• Pharmacy technicians to supervise the preparation, assembly and dispensing of medicines in hospital aseptic facilities.

The RPS previously responded to the Government’s consultation following widespread engagement through member events, Expert Advisory Groups and board discussions. We will be collaborating with DHSC, the General Pharmaceutical Council, the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK, Pharmaceutical Society NI and the Pharmacy Forum of Northern Ireland as the pharmacy professions move towards implementation. 

RPS will be developing guidance in partnership for the pharmacy professions and pharmacy team on: 

• Handing out pre-checked medicine bags in the pharmacy 

• Safe and effective models of authorisation of pharmacy technicians   

RPS has also started working in partnership with NHS Quality Assurance committee, APTUK and regulators of aseptic services to update its 2016 standards for the quality assurance of aseptic preparation services, to be ready by the end of 2026. 

RPS remains committed to working with partners on guidance and standards to provide clarity and consistency in practice. 

RPS President Professor Claire Anderson said: 

"We support the overall direction of travel set out in this legislation. It reflects a more collaborative, team-based approach to pharmacy that will help pharmacists focus on patient-facing clinical care while ensuring safety remains paramount. We will continue to work with the regulator and partners across the pharmacy professions to shape a future where all members of the pharmacy team are empowered to contribute fully to patient care." 

RPS guidance will be provided once the legislation comes into effect, which is expected to be by the end of 2025. 

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