The date for the compulsory registration of pharmacy technicians is getting closer.

As of July 1st 2009, it will be mandatory in the UK for all technicians to be registered.

There will be a two-year "grandparenting" period to make the transition easier for community pharmacies.

During that time people with relevant qualifications or work experience will be able to register and their past experience in the industry will be taken into account.

Jeanne Wood, dispensary manager at Mortimer Medical Practice in Herefordshire told Dispensing Doctors' Association: "If we could encourage everyone that is a pharmacy technician to register it would be great as I know I would have been pretty annoyed if after all these years I could now not call myself a pharmacy technician."

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) will oversee regulation.

Meanwhile, in 2010 a new regulator, the General Pharmaceutical Council, will replace the RPSGB.