On National Pharmacy Technician Day (21st October 2025) we proudly celebrate the hard work, skill, and growing importance of pharmacy technicians across all our pharmacy services.
With recent changes to their role, including the ability to give and supply medicines under a patient group direction (PGD), pharmacy technicians now have more independence and recognition as skilled, registered healthcare professionals. These updates are part of a wider effort to make care more joined-up, flexible, and focused on using everyone’s skills to their fullest.
Future changes to training, supervision, and education will give pharmacy technicians even more opportunities to shape their role in modern healthcare, helping improve patient care and make our systems run more efficiently.
Pharmacy technicians work in many different areas, including dispensing and checking medicines, preparing aseptic medicines, supporting medicines reviews, and leading projects to improve prescribing and services. Career options are also expanding – pharmacy technicians are now working in education, medicines safety, research, and other specialist roles.
We are sharing stories about some of the great work done every day by Greater Manchester’s pharmacy technician teams. We encourage you to learn more about their roles – or simply take a moment to thank them.
To all pharmacy technicians: thank you. Your knowledge, care, and flexibility are making a real difference for patients and the NHS.
A typical day in the life of a local Pharmacy Technician
Amy Dunning, Project lead Medicines Optimisation Pharmacy Technician in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale.
“A typical day for me is leading the project transition into business as usual for our prescribing software support tool across all Greater Manchester. I am providing training and guidance to new starter pharmacy colleagues on clinical systems as well as platforms used for prescribing data analysis. I am collaborating with adult social care colleagues to provide support to care providers where there are concerns around medicines. I am reviewing teams cost improvement data submitted for monthly validation. I am meeting with GP prescribing leads to discuss medicines optimisation opportunities, target areas and agree action plans.”
Faz Javed, Medicines Optimisation Pharmacy Technician in Oldham.
“A typical day for me is rationalising quantities of medication to streamline processes for patients and colleagues. I am actioning tasks and answering queries from GPs and other practice staff. I am reviewing the safety and appropriateness of prescribed medication and checking that patients are prescribed medicines in line with local and regional guidance. I am logging efficiencies on our internal system.”
Rikki Smeeton, Community Pharmacy Greater Manchester’s (CPGM) Pharmacy Contract & Services Pharmacy Technician
“A typical day for me is supporting the quality, delivery and uptake of locally and nationally commissioned pharmacy services to improve health outcomes for patients and the local population. I am supporting Community Pharmacy teams to deliver high-quality patient care through weekly drop-in sessions and pharmacy visits. I am developing effective support tools and training opportunities to help pharmacy teams with Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework compliance, Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework, Pharmacy Quality Scheme and Healthy Living Pharmacy responsibilities. I am supporting commissioners with the review of service specifications, documentation, formularies, Patient Group Direction and negotiation of associated fees.”
Hina Liaquat, Pharmacy Technician working at Timperley Pharmacy in Manchester.
“A typical day for me is supporting patients to access services such as Pharmacy First, vaccination and weight management. I am contributing to patient safety through accuracy checking, dispensing, serving patients at the counter and answering calls when needed. I am advising patients on medicines and helping them make informed decisions about their health. I am expanding my skills in phlebotomy and ear wax removal. I am managing stock and supply to ensure patients receive their medicines on time.”
Toni Downie, Lead Pharmacy Technician for Education, Training and Development at Manchester Foundation NHS Trust.
“A typical day for me involves team check ins and leading meetings. I am planning programmes of work for pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians. I am developing training packs and reports. I facilitate or oversee training sessions for pharmacy staff. I am undertaking strategic planning, develop workforce plans and service improvement initiatives.”
Elliot Robinson, Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician at North Manchester General Hospital.
“A typical day for me is daily learning and experience while training to be a fully qualified Pharmacy Technician. I am supporting the Pharmacy Dispensary in the dispensing and assembling of various medications. I am checking that patients have sufficient supply of medication on the wards. I am dealing with queries any patients or other healthcare professionals may have both in person and over the phone.”
Cheryl Boardman, Chief Pharmacy Technician in Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust.
“A typical day for me is supporting the pharmacy team located across five boroughs of our Mental Health Trust, in all aspects of pharmacy. I am line managing pharmacy technicians, in one to one or group sessions. I am writing and reviewing standard operating procedures and guidelines. I am leading on logistics for the vaccination clinics across the Trust with the Lead Vaccination Nurse. I am overseeing the safe and secure handling of medicines, audits, reports and action plans. I am liaising with our partner acute trusts as part of service level agreements.”
Stacey Staton, Senior Pharmacy Technician in the Medicines Value Portfolio in NHS Greater Manchester.
“A typical day for me is analysing prescribing data to support cost effective prescribing, reduce waste and guide system wide optimisation of medicines. I am collaborating and coordinating strategic programmes of work that shape future prescribing priorities. I am managing and delivering cross system projects to improve medicines safety, effectiveness and value across Greater Manchester. I am developing and reviewing guidance and processes to ensure consistent application of policy and process across Greater Manchester. I am championing pharmacy technician development by supporting and promoting opportunities across the system.”
