New pharm tech accreditation group formed

The Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission (PTAC), a group charged with overseeing pharmacy technician education and training programs, will begin operation next year.

PTAC is a collaboration between the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).

“We think that the collaboration between ASHP and ACPE is the perfect blend of knowledge and oversight that this process requires,” said ASHP CEO Paul W. Abramowitz, PharmD, FASHP.

PTAC will review documents, conduct site surveys, and advise the ASHP and ACPE boards of directors on final accreditation actions.

“We believe that this team effort will augment the needed quality and consistency in the education of pharmacy technicians and help technician graduates meet the evolving needs of the pharmacy profession in all sectors of practice,” said ACPE  Executive Director Peter H. Vlasses, PharmD, BCPS, FCCP.