Pharmacy has a huge role to play in healthcare in the UK, with just over 14,000 community pharmacies visited by around 1.6 million people daily. Who are the different members that make up the pharmacy team, and what are the benefits of providing them with the most up-to-date product knowledge?

While most people have some understanding of the pharmacist’s responsibilities, they may not be aware of the functions carried out by support staff. They play a vital role in running a successful community pharmacy.

Technicians, for example, are involved in dispensing prescriptions and advising customers, and may have some managerial responsibility. They are registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and are required to complete an accredited course (NVQ3 equivalent), as well as ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Medicines counter assistants (MCAs), also known as healthcare assistants, are important members of the team too. They work on the medicines counter and are often the first person a customer speaks to. They give key advice on over-the-counter (OTC) products, and must complete an accredited training course to carry out their duties.

It is vital for the support staff team to carry out training to maintain up-to-date knowledge of OTC products and their benefits. Training also gives support staff important information on new roles and services.

The knowledge and skills gained by pharmacy support staff through training and development, combined with an excellent rapport with customers, is the reason they play such a vital role in securing the lasting trust of customers.