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The trade body representing large pharmacy multiples has said it "strongly disagrees" with the General Pharmaceutical Council's plans to raise the minimum qualification level for pharmacy technicians from RQF Level 3 to 4.

Responding to the GPhC's consultation on proposed draft education and training standards for pharmacy technicians, the Company Chemists' Association said the move risked "significant unintended consequences" and claimed it could cost employers and the Government up to £150m a year. 

This estimate is based on an additional £75-100m cost to the Government in apprenticeship levy spending, which "far exceeds" the amount of unspent apprenticeship funding, as well as a projected £50m in higher salaries paid out by employers. 

The CCA said that while it supports the "evolving role" of pharmacy technicians, their present role does not require them "to have advanced skills from day one of registration," arguing that they can upskill as necessary without the need for Level 4 training. 

The CCA also claimed the proposal would increase the rate of dropouts among those training to become pharmacy technicians and that as the course is still expected to last two years, it would necessarily become "harder" due to more course material being added. 

The trade body said that Level 4-qualified pharmacy technicians may also wish to move out of community pharmacy and into other sectors where they can exercise their skills, leading to a "brain drain" for the community sector. 

 "We are very concerned that raising the minimum qualification level will create considerable barriers to many of the people who would normally successfully train to become pharmacy technicians in community pharmacy," said the CCA. 

"The proposed changes will therefore significantly worsen the current workforce shortages, increasing costs at a time when pharmacy businesses are already on their knees financially," it added.
 
Describing the proposals as "retrograde," the trade body instead called to strengthen Level 3 learning outcomes to "ensure robust preparation for core roles" and to encourage additional training for those "taking on advanced responsibilities".

CCA chief executive Malcolm Harrison said: "We absolutely support efforts to enhance standards across the profession. But there are better ways to raise standards than simply increasing the minimum entry level for pharmacy technicians.
 
These proposals make little sense at a time when the sector should be harnessing the benefits of employing pharmacy technicians.

"We must be allowed to raise standards without pulling up the ladder for those looking to start a professional career.
 
"We must protect access, diversity, and progression while strengthening training where it matters, and we must ensure the sustainability of the profession within community pharmacy.”
 
The GPhC's 12-week consultation will close on December 24.