The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and Communications International Group (CIG) are to collaborate to deliver quality training to meet the development needs of the sector.

With an initial focus on training for dispensary assistants to be provided by the NPA from 1 July 2013, the two organisations will jointly use their considerable experience and resources to support and develop pharmacy teams in their careers.

Commenting on the collaboration, Mike Holden, chief executive of the NPA, said: “We have been working with CIG for many years now and they, like us, are dedicated to providing pharmacy owners and their teams with the best possible learning and development opportunities and courses for the benefit of their patients and customers.”

Felim O’Brien, CIG’s CEO, added: “CIG has been at the forefront of training for pharmacy teams through its publications such as the Independent Community Pharmacist, Pharmacy Magazine, P3 and Training Matters, and our awards which recognise the vital role pharmacy teams play within the sector. We, like the NPA, are committed to ensuring that individuals within community pharmacies are given the opportunity to receive the best possible education to develop their professional, business, clinical and practice skills.”