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Cell‐Based Therapies—A Role for Pharmacy Technicians
Author(s) -
Burnett Donna,
Dooley Michael J,
Wall Dominic
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of pharmacy practice and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2055-2335
pISSN - 1445-937X
DOI - 10.1002/jppr2003334296
Subject(s) - pharmacy technician , pharmacy , medicine , certification , technician , remuneration , medical education , nursing , management , engineering , finance , electrical engineering , economics
Aim: To develop pharmacy technician involvement in the manufacture of cell‐based therapies for the treatment of cancer. Method: A tripartite collaboration between the Centre for Blood Cell Therapies (CBCT), pharmacy department (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre) and clinical trial sponsor was formalised. The skills required by pharmacy technicians as well as areas for specific background training were identified and didactic education sessions prepared. Plans were prepared for certified training at the clinical trial sponsor's manufacturing facility in Paris, France. Results: Two pharmacy technicians with extensive aseptic chemotherapy experience commenced the education program in January 2001 with initial didactic education in a range of areas. In February 2001, the selected pharmacy technicians and the senior scientist of the cell manipulation laboratory travelled to Paris, France for formal certified training and validation with the trial sponsor. The technicians successfully completed the training and validation process and are now qualified cell processing technologists. A final validation of the facilities and personnel was completed in July 2001 by the trial sponsor. Additional technicians have now been trained and the current involvement of pharmacy technicians in the CBCT is approximately 40 hours per week. In addition, a review of the remuneration for pharmacy technicians was undertaken and a six‐tier pay structure implemented. Conclusion: Pharmacy technicians can be readily trained to manufacture cell‐based therapies. This project has highlighted that pharmacy technicians have the experience, expertise and capacity to expand their roles within healthcare delivery.