Update to BOPA Standards – New Guidance on Pharmacy Technician SACT Verification (Section 3.3)
Dear BOPA Members,
We are pleased to share an important update to the BOPA Standards for the Pharmacy Verification of Prescriptions for Cancer Medicines (Version 5.0, 3 June 2025).
A new section, 3.3 – Pharmacy Technician Verification Guidance to Organisations, has been added to support the development and safe implementation of pharmacy technician involvement in systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) verification at Level 2a.
Key highlights of this new guidance include:
- Organisations are encouraged to consider their local governance frameworks when defining the responsibilities of pharmacy technicians in SACT verification (see also Section 3.1).
- Minimum recommended criteria for technicians undertaking Level 2a verification:
- Band 5 or 6 (or equivalent)
- At least two years of cancer-specific experience
- ACT (Accuracy Checking Technician) qualification
- Ongoing post-qualification training (e.g. Level 4 Enhanced Practice Programme or Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy Services and Therapeutics)
- A phased and competency-based approach to scope:
- Technicians may be approved to verify either individual SACT items (e.g. zoledronic acid) or named items within specific disease areas (e.g. breast cancer: zoledronic acid, pamidronate, denosumab, trastuzumab SC only)
- Scope may be expanded based on additional training, log completion, and local governance approval
This addition aims to enhance clarity and consistency across the UK, while supporting the safe development of pharmacy technician roles in cancer services.
With thanks to the task group who reviewed and contributed to this update, including:
- Netty Cracknell – Principal Pharmacist – Operations, GenesisCare UK
- Mollie Pelingu – Pharmacy Technician, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
- Joseph Williams – Pharmacist, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
- Emma Williams – Pharmacy Technician, Velindre University NHS Trust
- Claire Kennedy – Pharmacy Technician, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Melanie Lowe – Chief Clinical Pharmacy Technician, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
The updated Standard is available via this link: https://www.bopa.org.uk/resources/bopa-standards-for-clinical-pharmacy-verification-of-cancer-medicine-prescriptions/
We encourage all members to review the updated standards document and consider how these changes may be applied within your organisation.
Best regards,
BOPA
