The program at PVCC was initiated out of a need for better qualified pharmacy technicians to be employed at UVA. Prior to the program's inception, the Pharmacy Manger of the Inpatient Pharmacy had experience with hiring candidates for open positions that had completed the Workforce Program under the PVCC umbrella and determined that individuals that completed that program performed at the necessary level for sufficient pharmacy operations. 

A formal education program allows the foundation of pharmacy operations to be taught in a focused format. On-the-job training may not be consistent from company to company. A person could be overwhelmed with trying to learn how to be a pharmacy technician while being a pharmacy technician. 

The pharmacy industry is advancing, and although the elimination of formal training programs could allow people to get hired quicker, patient safety could be at risk. 

Going from 400 hours to 60 - 80 is a drastic decrease in instructional time. 60 - 80 hours is not enough time for didactic, simulation, and experiential time. Patients' lives depend on quality training of pharmacy technicians regardless of the pharmacy setting. 

In years past there must have been a reason that instructional hours increased from 60 - 80 hours to 400 hours. Perhaps reducing the hours to 250 and have a tailored/standard curriculum that outlines specific topics to be covered (for example specific pharmacology context like just knowledge of the top 200 medications and classification).

Currently, the only way to become registered as a pharmacy technician in the state is to pass either the PTCB or NHA certification exam. If the hours are reduced, would the state go back to a state exam?