Demand for Pharmacy Technician Workforce at Primary Healthcare Centers during the Past 12 Years (2006-2017) and in the Future (2018-2030) in Saudi Arabia

Objective: To explore the demand of pharmacy technician workforce at Ministry of Health’s (MOH) Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) over the past 12 years (2006–2017) and in the future (2018–2030) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of the demand of MOH’s pharmacy technician workforce during the past 12 years (2006-2017) and in the future (2018-2030). All data were derived from the MOH’s Statistical Year Books and any missing information regarding the pharmacy technician workforce will be estimated through allied healthcare professionals’ data from each region including data on gender or nationality. It included pharmacy technician and excluded all types of pharmacists or clinical pharmacist’s workforces at MOH hospital setting. All calculations were based on MOH’s workforce standards of PHCs and updated literature. All calculations were performed using Microsoft Excel version 10. Results: The demand for number pharmacy technicians based on the pharmacist: pharmacy technicians in the ratio standard (1:3) was (4–1,392) with an average number of (608.92) pharmacy technicians required. The demand for number of pharmacist: pharmacy technicians in the ratio standard (1:4) was (37,453–46,058) with an average number of (41,611.17) pharmacy technicians required. While the demand for pharmacist: pharmacy technicians in the ratio standard (1:2) was (18,281–22,218) with an average of (20,159.67). The number of pharmacist: pharmacy technicians required in the future based on the ratio standard (1:3) was 27,867–34,138 with an average number of (30,885.42) pharmacy technicians required. In the future (2018–2030), the pharmacist: pharmacy technicians based on the ratio standard (1:4) was (47,600–64,317) with an average of (54,895.23) pharmacy technicians required. However, the pharmacist: pharmacy technicians based on the ratio standard of (1:2) was (23,154–31,286) with an average number of (26,689.30) pharmacy technicians required. The number of pharmacist: pharmacy technician required based on the ratio standard (1:3) was (35,377–47,802) with an average number of (40,792.27) pharmacy technicians required. Conclusion: In this study, the demands and future forecasting of pharmacy technician workforces was determined. The pharmacist to pharmacy technician ratio should be standardized. Pharmacy technicians may be utilized at community pharmacies in the future. Periodic analysis of demand and forecasting at PHCs is highly recommended in Saudi Arabia.