variety of training programs for pharmacy technicians currently available in the different provinces and territories of the country. Accredited pharmacy technician diplomas, certificates and college programs are offered in the Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick. The Canadian Association of Pharmacy Technicians is a professional organization of pharmacy technicians in Canada. Colombia In Colombia, pharmacy technicians are known as pharmacy regency technologists and sometimes erroneously called pharmacy regents. Several universities offer training programs of three years. This occupation appeared due to the lack of pharmacists in Colombia, a reason why they are commonly confused with pharmacists. Pharmacy regency technicians are regulated and monitored by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. Germany According to the German Statistisches Bundesamt, 66,867 pharmacy technicians ("Pharmazeutisch-technische Assistenten") were working in 2011. About 90% were working as employees in community pharmacies. Their salary (approx. 1,837 - 2,400 Euros) is part of agreements between employers associations and Adexa. Saudi Arabia Pharmacy technicians are known as assistant pharmacists. Several universities offer programs of three and half years of education and training. This occupation appeared due to the lack of pharmacists in Saudi Arabia in 1990, a reason they are commonly confused with pharmacists. Pharmacy regency technicians are regulated and monitored by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. According to the MOH Statistics, there were about 8,471 of pharmacy technicians working in MOH Saudi Arabia 2015. In 2010, the Minister of Health, Abdullah Al-Rabiah, issued a decision to stop the teaching of pharmacy technicians immediately. Sri Lanka In Sri Lanka, the government agency National Apprentices and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) has developed National Competency Standards (NCS) leading to the award of the NVQ Level 4 certification as pharmacy technician for pharmacy employees who have above four years of experience. The NCS is approved by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission in 2016 and is presently being implemented. There are over 10,000 experienced pharmacy technicians on the island. The one year training consists of subject areas in compounding, dispensing, stock management, housekeeping practices and customer care development. The first batch of 154 certified pharmacy technicians are already employed in the community pharmacy sector. Ghana In 2009, a World Health Organization assessment identified a total of 918 practising pharmacy technicians or technologists (1 per 25,600 residents) and 1,642 medicine counter assistants (1 per 14,300 residents). In regards to training, the assessment identified only one pharmacy