WASHINGTON – While the unemployment rate across the United States remains high, employment for pharmacy technicians will grow much faster than that of the average occupation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2008-2009 Occupational Outlook Handbook.

The BLS report indicates that demand for certified pharmacy technicians, or CPhTs, could see a 32 percent increase by 2016.

According to the report, CPhTs will begin to assume responsibility for tasks commonly performed by pharmacists as cost-conscious insurers use pharmacies as patient care centers. The BLS also predicts that the increase in the middle-aged and elderly population will spur demand for technicians, as they use more medications than other segments of the population.

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board has said it hopes certification will play an increasingly important role as demand for pharmacy technicians grows. The organization notes that credentialed technicians often benefit from increased job opportunities and job security.

Melissa Murer Corrigan, executive director of the PTCB, said regulation of CPhT activities would increase proportionately with the demand for services. Walgreens, CVS and Target already support PTCB certification and even pay for the examination fee, she said.

The PTCB has certified more than 355,000 pharmacy technicians since 1995, and its CPhT program is the only certification program endorsed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, APhA and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.