SAAP-03 - FIP Global Pharmacy Technician Symposium*
Tracks
Room 524
| Saturday, August 29, 2026 |
| 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Details
Chair :
Susan James, FIP Pharmacy Technician Advisory Committee, Canada
Information:
The Pharmacy Technician Advisory Committee is delighted to host the Global Pharmacy Technician Symposium alongside the 84th FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Montreal, Canada. Bringing together pharmacy technicians, pharmacists, educators, regulators, and health leaders from across the globe, this symposium will serve as a dynamic forum to share best practices, discuss the future of pharmacy technician practice, and explore innovative models that can be adapted to local contexts. Through plenaries, interactive discussions, and hands-on workshops, participants will engage with timely topics such as injectable medication administration, digital health advancements, and evolving scopes of practice. We look forward to seeing you there.
Programme :
Registration :
The session is accessible with pre-registration only via the regular congress registration. Costs are € 100 for FIP members and non members.
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Registration and Networking |
| 09:00 – 09:20 | Welcome & Keynote Address |
| Sheena Deane, President, Canadian Association of Pharmacy Technicians, Canada | |
| 09:20 – 10:00 | Session 1 – Building the Pharmacy Technician Workforce – Lessons from a National Case Study (1) |
| Dr. Camilla Wong, Director-General of Health Office, Ministry of Health, Singapore | |
| National case studies highlighting approaches to pharmacy technician workforce development. The speaker will outline how pharmacy technician roles are defined, their education and training, and how they are integrated into the national health system. The presentation will explore key drivers, challenges and innovations that have shaped workforce development, offering practical insights into strategies that support evolving healthcare needs and professional practice. | |
| Learning Objectives | |
| 1. Describe key features of pharmacy technician workforce development within different country contexts. 2. Identify common drivers and challenges influencing the evolution of pharmacy technician roles and training. 3. Reflect on how insights from international examples may inform workforce planning, policy or practice in their own setting. | |
| 10:00 – 10:45 | Session 2 – Building the Pharmacy Technician Workforce – National Case Study (2) |
| TBC, South Africa | |
| A second national case study examining pharmacy technician workforce development within another healthcare system. The presentation will compare approaches to technician education, professional roles, regulation and integration into health services, while highlighting challenges, innovations and lessons applicable across countries. | |
| Learning Objectives | |
| 1. Describe key features of pharmacy technician workforce development within different country contexts. 2. Identify common drivers and challenges influencing the evolution of pharmacy technician roles and training. 3. Reflect on how insights from international examples may inform workforce planning, policy or practice in their own setting. | |
| 10:45 – 11:00 | Break |
| 11:00 – 12:30 | Session 3 – To Scope or Not to Scope: International Perspectives of Defining Pharmacy Technician Practice |
| Chair: Alison Hemsworth, University of Huddersfield, UK (TBC) | |
| Rebecca Chamberlain, Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK | |
| Zachary Green, Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, USA | |
| Teresa Hennessey, Pharmacy Technician Society of Alberta, Canada | |
| This international panel will explore how the scope of pharmacy technician practice is defined and enacted across different countries. Panelists will present national approaches before engaging in a comparative discussion examining the benefits and challenges of different models and considering their implications for workforce development, professional autonomy and patient or service outcomes. | |
| Learning Objectives | |
| 1. Compare how scope of practice is defined and implemented across different international contexts. 2. Critically evaluate the advantages and limitations of diverse approaches to scope of practice. 3. Identify key factors that influence scope of practice implementation and consider their application within individual participant contexts. | |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch (Posters available for viewing) |
| 13:30 – 14:30 | Session 4 – Beyond the Needle: Illuminating the Research and Realities of Pharmacy Technician-led Immunization Services |
| Kymmberley Wright, Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan, Canada | |
| Kimberly McKeirnan, Washington State University, United States | |
| Mathew DeMarco, University of Waterloo, Canada | |
| Taylor Bertsch, Washington State University, United States | |
| This session examines global and Canadian policy developments supporting regulated pharmacy technician roles in immunization and explores current evidence on the safety, efficiency and patient outcomes associated with technician-led vaccination services. Drawing on empirical studies alongside experience delivering more than 3,000 injections in community and outreach settings, the speakers will demonstrate how technician involvement has improved patient access, strengthened team culture and expanded pharmacist clinical capacity. Regulatory, cultural and operational barriers will also be explored together with examples of successful implementation from diverse practice environments, concluding with practical strategies for wider adoption. | |
| Learning Objectives | |
| 1. Explain the core value proposition of pharmacy technicians as essential immunizers in modern vaccination workflows, including safety, efficiency and patient care benefits. 2. Explore best-practice workflow models for integrating pharmacy technician immunization services into community pharmacy operations as solutions to operational barriers. 3. Recognize the human impact of pharmacy technician immunizers through real-world stories, highlighting patient experience, professional identity and team culture. 4. Recognize how technician-led immunization services improve equitable access to vaccination by reducing disparities and closing gaps in care across underserved and equity-deserving populations. | |
| 14:30 – 14:45 | Session 5 – Findings from the FIP Workforce Surveillance Program |
| Ian Bates, FIP Global Pharmaceutical Observatory | |
| This session will provide an overview of global pharmacy technician workforce data collected through the FIP Global Pharmaceutical Observatory, including findings from the FIP 2025 Global Situation Report. The presentation will highlight trends relating to technician migration, competencies, education and professional recognition, while also presenting evidence to strengthen intra-professional collaboration across pharmacy teams. The session will conclude with recommendations to support workforce planning, policy development and advocacy. | |
| Learning Objectives | |
| 1. Recognize the role of the Global Pharmaceutical Observatory in collecting, analysing and reporting pharmacy workforce surveillance data to inform health workforce planning, policymaking and advocacy as part of the FIP Development Goals. 2. Identify key pharmacy technician workforce trends highlighted through FIP's workforce surveillance programme. 3. Describe opportunities and calls to action for governments, regulators, policymakers, educational institutions, professional associations and international partners to strengthen the pharmacy technician workforce. | |
| 14:45 – 15:15 | Coffee Break (Poster viewing continued) |
| 15:15 – 16:00 | Session 6 – Building the Future of the Pharmacy Technician Workforce: Exploring a Nationwide Mentoring Program |
| Shane P. Desselle, Touro University California College of Pharmacy, USA | |
| Kimberly McKeirnan, Washington State University College of Pharmacy, USA and Nelson Mandela University, South Africa | |
| This session explores the potential for establishing a nationwide pharmacy technician mentoring programme in the United States. Drawing on research findings, the speakers will discuss programme design considerations including the need for formal structure while allowing organic relationship development, effective mentor–mentee matching, mentor preparation, resource support and organisational commitment. Challenges such as time constraints, workload and limited mentorship infrastructure will also be examined, alongside the broader implications for technician well-being, retention, career progression and national professional advocacy. | |
| Learning Objectives | |
| 1. Describe the need for a nationwide pharmacy technician mentoring programme and explain how mentorship can support technician development, well-being, resilience and professional engagement. 2. Discuss the key features of effective mentorship identified by pharmacy technicians, including individualized guidance, long-term relationship building, mutual learning and a whole-person approach. 3. Identify important programme design elements and implementation considerations, including formal structure, mentor training, matching processes, organisational oversight and flexibility for organic mentoring relationships. 4. Recognize common barriers and opportunities related to national mentorship programme implementation and consider the potential role of professional organisations in supporting advocacy, leadership development and career advancement. | |
| 16:00 – 16:45 | World Café and Networking |
| Symposium attendees will participate in facilitated small-group discussions to reflect on the day's presentations, exchange experiences and identify opportunities to advance the global pharmacy technician workforce. Discussions will explore future symposium topics, emerging workforce priorities and practical resources that could support pharmacy technicians, pharmacy support personnel and organisations worldwide. | |
| 16:45 – 17:00 | People's Choice Poster Award* and Closing Remarks |
| Presentation of the People's Choice Poster Award, followed by closing reflections and remarks marking the conclusion of the symposium. |
*Poster Presentations: To acknowledge and support the advancement of pharmacy technician education, practice and research, the PTAC invites pharmacy technicians to present a poster during the Symposium, provided it is not otherwise being presented at the FIP Congress in Montréal. Posters will be available for viewing during the lunch and coffee breaks, and Symposium delegates will be invited to vote for a People's Choice Poster Award, with the winning poster to be showcased during a future PTAC digital event. Participants wishing to present a poster should confirm their participation by 10 August by emailing PTAC Chair, Susan James, at sjames@ocpinfo.com.
