Tue 21 October 2025
New national pharmacy technician standards to empower indispensable partners in health care
Today on Pharmacy Technicians and Assistants Day, Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) launched the Australasian Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacy Technicians in Hospitals and Health Services (2025) - a landmark step in recognising and advancing the essential role of pharmacy technicians across Australia and New Zealand.
Pharmacy technicians are highly skilled professionals who prepare, manage and distribute medicines within hospitals and health services, ensuring that pharmacists and clinical teams can deliver safe and effective care to patients, while liberating crucial health system capacity.
The new Framework provides a clear, nationally consistent foundation for technician practice, helping the workforce operate to its full scope while supporting workforce sustainability, patient safety, and equitable access to medicines.
The launch event took place today at Launceston General Hospital, officiated by the Hon Bridget Archer MP, Tasmanian Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing and bringing together pharmacy and health leaders including AdPha President Assoc. Prof Tom Simpson FANZCAP (Lead & Mgmt); AdPha Chief Executive Kristin Michaels; Fiona Lieutier, Chief Executive, Hospitals North and Leah Di Guglielmo, Lead Pharmacy Technician, Launceston General Hospital.
Quotes attributable to the Hon Bridget Archer MP, Tasmanian Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing:
‘Pharmacy technicians and assistants are indispensable partners in health care - championing safety, precision and collaboration in every hospital and community pharmacy.
‘AdPha’s competency standards will help technicians work to their full potential under pharmacist supervision, freeing pharmacists to focus on clinical care and improving patient outcomes - a vital step as we address workforce pressures and ensure timely, equitable access to medicines across the country.’
Quotes attributable to AdPha President Assoc. Prof Tom Simpson FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt):
‘The launch of our first Australasian Pharmacy Technician Competency Standards marks another defining moment, paving the way for a stronger, more connected, and better supported pharmacy technician workforce.
‘Tasmania’s leadership in pharmacy technician development is helping set the standard for the rest of Australia - demonstrating how empowering every member of the health workforce leads to better care for every patient.
’To the thousands of technicians who power our profession and help deliver safe care for all Australians we say thank you.’
Tasmania has been at the forefront of expanding pharmacy technician practice, including through the Bedside Medication Management project, which freed up nursing capacity and strengthened medication safety. The new national Framework builds on this success and aligns with the state’s Pharmacist Scope of Practice Review, further reinforcing Tasmania’s leadership in healthcare innovation.
Pictured: The Launceston General Hospital Pharmacy Technician team with Minister Bridget Archer and Assoc. Prof Tom Simpson at the launch event on Tuesday October 21st 2025.