New Report Calls for Alberta Pharmacy Technicians to Administer Injections
The Securing System Sustainability through Alberta Pharmacy Technician Scope Expansion whitepaper is now available, presenting a comprehensive evidence-based case for expanding Alberta pharmacy technicians’ scope of practice to include administering injections.
The report examines how empowering Registered Pharmacy Technicians (RPhTs) to administer injectable medications and vaccines could help address growing pressures on Alberta’s health care system while improving patient access to timely care. The recommendations are informed by published research, experiences from jurisdictions where pharmacy technicians already administer injections, and insights from a national expert panel representing pharmacy practice, academia, primary care, and regulation.
As Alberta continues to face healthcare provider shortages, increasing rates of chronic disease, and growing demands on primary care services, pharmacies have become an essential point of access for health care. The report presents a position that optimizing the full capabilities of the pharmacy workforce is a practical and achievable strategy to improve capacity, reduce bottlenecks, and enhance patient care.
Key findings highlighted in the report
The report concludes that jurisdictions utilizing injection-authorized pharmacy technicians have experienced:
- Increased pharmacy workflow efficiency and reduced patient wait times.
- More pharmacist time available for prescribing, medication management, chronic disease care, and other clinical services.
- Improved access to vaccinations and injectable therapies.
- High levels of patient satisfaction and acceptance.
- Strong safety outcomes supported by structured training and regulatory oversight.
- Enhanced professional development opportunities for pharmacy technicians and improved workforce sustainability.
Pharmacy technicians in multiple Canadian provinces already administer vaccines and other injections safely and effectively, providing real-world examples of successful implementation.
A vision for the future of pharmacy care
The report’s recommendations include extending the scope of practice of Alberta pharmacy technicians to include administering injections, establishing standardized training pathways, adapting funding mechanisms, and increasing awareness among health professionals and the public about the role of pharmacy teams in delivering accessible primary care.
The proposed model maintains pharmacists’ responsibility for clinical assessment, patient care decisions, and oversight of pharmacy operations, while enabling pharmacy technicians to contribute more fully within their competencies and training.
Developed through broad expert engagement
The report was informed by a multidisciplinary expert panel that included pharmacy technicians, pharmacists, researchers, regulatory leaders, physicians, and health system stakeholders from across Canada. The panel explored evidence, implementation considerations, workforce impacts, patient safety outcomes, and opportunities to strengthen access to care through optimized use of pharmacy professionals.
About PTSA
The Pharmacy Technician Society of Alberta advocates for the advancement of pharmacy technicians in contributing to the well-being of patients within pharmacy practice.