ASHP launches pharmacy technician forum

(HealthDay)—A pharmacy technician forum, which aims to provide a voice for practicing technicians and improve engagement in the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), has been created by the ASHP Board of Directors and launched at the mid-year clinical meeting and exhibition of the ASHP, held from Dec. 3 to 7 in Orlando, Fla.

The Pharmacy Technician Forum will provide necessary education, tools, and resources needed to advance the career paths of technicians and enhance their roles as members of the interprofessional patient care team. The forum was scheduled to formally launch at the mid-year clinical meeting of the ASHP and is expected to be fully operational in early 2018.

The forum will include an executive committee that will provide ASHP recommendations for programs, education, tools, policies, and resources. In addition, the ASHP will enlist staff members to support the forum and will address pharmacy technician members' needs to improve their involvement with the ASHP and advance their careers.

"Pharmacy technicians play a vital role in patient care and are the key to allowing pharmacists to spend their time providing direct patient care in hospitals, clinics, and all settings," ASHP CEO Paul W. Abramowitz, Pharm.D., Sc.D., said in a statement. "ASHP's goal with the Pharmacy Technician Forum is to give our technician colleagues the respect they deserve as well as the tools they need to continue to professionalize and advance their careers. As the organization that for decades has led the way in elevating the role of pharmacy technicians, we believe that ASHP will serve as the perfect home for technicians who wish to take their careers to the next level and beyond."

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