Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, USA.
Nelson Mandela University Department of Pharmacy, South Africa.
Res Social Adm Pharm. 2022 Aug;18(8):3448-3452. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2021.10.002. Epub 2021 Oct 4.
The pharmacy support workforce (PSW) is the mid-level cadre of the global pharmacy profession, referring to pharmacy technicians, assistants and other cadres that assist in the delivery of pharmaceutical services in a variety of practice contexts. The PSW undertake technical tasks delegated under the supervision of a pharmacist or performed collaboratively. The PSW are not intended to replace pharmacists, but rather work side-by-side with the pharmacist to achieve a shared goal. However, extensive variation in the PSW exists globally, ranging from an educated, regulated, and highly effective workforce in some countries to unrecognized or non-existent in others. Vast differences in education requirements, specific roles, regulatory oversight, and need for pharmacist supervision, inhibit the development and advancement of a global PSW. As clinical care providers, pharmacists worldwide need for a competent support workforce. Without the confidence to delegate technical responsibilities to a well-trained and capable PSW, pharmacists will be unable to fully deliver advanced clinical roles. A clear vision for the role of the PSW in the expanding scope of pharmacy practice is needed. One organization working to unite global efforts in this area is the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). The FIP Workforce Development Hub Pharmacy Technicians & Support Workforce Strategic Platform was established to address the pharmacy workforce shortage in low and middle-income countries. Further developments were made in 2019, with the creation of a representative global PSW advisory panel, to provide guidance towards the development of the global PSW. Provision of frameworks and strategic input to support quality in education, development of legislative frameworks, guidelines for registration and licensure, and advice on appropriate role advancement are critical to move the PSW forward. In order to produce substantial advancement of roles and recognition of the PSW and advancement of pharmacists as patient care providers, global collaborative work is needed.
药剂师支持人员（PSW）是全球药学专业的中层干部，指的是在各种实践环境中协助提供药学服务的药剂技术员、助理和其他干部。PSW 承担药师监督下委派的技术任务或协作完成的任务。PSW 的目的不是取代药剂师，而是与药剂师并肩工作，实现共同目标。然而，全球 PSW 存在广泛的差异，一些国家的 PSW 具有受过教育、受监管且高效的劳动力，而另一些国家则未得到认可或不存在。教育要求、具体角色、监管监督和对药剂师监督的需求方面存在巨大差异，阻碍了全球 PSW 的发展和进步。作为临床护理提供者，全球药剂师需要一支有能力的支持人员。如果药剂师没有信心将技术职责委托给经过良好培训且有能力的 PSW，他们将无法充分发挥先进的临床角色。需要明确 PSW 在药学实践不断扩大的范围内的角色愿景。国际药学联合会（FIP）是一个致力于团结全球在这一领域努力的组织。FIP 劳动力发展中心药剂技术员和支持人员战略平台的建立旨在解决低收入和中等收入国家的药剂师劳动力短缺问题。2019 年进一步发展，成立了一个具有代表性的全球 PSW 咨询小组，为全球 PSW 的发展提供指导。提供框架和战略投入，以支持教育质量、制定立法框架、注册和许可准则以及适当角色发展的建议，对于推动 PSW 的发展至关重要。为了实现 PSW 的角色实质性进步和认可，以及推进药剂师作为患者护理提供者的地位，需要开展全球合作。
