Credentialing of pharmacy technicians in the USA

Abstract

This paper provides a review of pharmacy technicians' roles and responsibilities across different pharmacy settings. Although the literature provides some insight, more studies are needed to assess the value and impact of the knowledge and skills possessed by certified pharmacy technicians with standardized training compared with technicians with site-specific or limited training.

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“…31,32 On the other hand, the pharmacists' shortages increase the need for technicians in USA. 7 Although USA is more populous than Egypt, in 2012 the number of pharmacists per 10,000 population in Egypt was 18.15 while that of USA was 8.82. 29 This number is more than that needed by the market and is due to the high number of annual admissions to the Faculties of Pharmacy in Egypt despite the objection of the Pharmacists' Syndicate.…”

“…The main reason for wanting to train them was that they would eventually be beneficial for the pharmacist and he would be able to depend on them (292, 76.6%). Other reasons included decreasing errors (32, 8.4%), transferring the pharmacist's experience (59, 15.5%), teaching them their job description (27,7.1%), loving to teach (22, 5.8%), teaching them job ethics (5, 1.3%) and to ease communication (4, 1%). The main reasons for refusing to participate in their training were lack of time (55, 45.5%), refusing the concept of certification (25,20.7%), being not good at teaching (19,15.7%), the fear that they might be dishonest (11,9.1%), the lack of experience (8,6.6%) and believing that only pharmacists should deal with medications (8, 6.6%).…”

“…52 In USA, chain pharmacies depend on technicians in medications filling and counting, prescription input, tech-check-tech and as cashiers. 7 In UK, they have ACT, this role allows technicians to check the accuracy of a dispensing clinically approved by the pharmacist, this position is invalid in USA. 53 In community pharmacies, technicians assemble and dispense prescription medications, sell OTC medications and counsel patients.…”

Report of the 2013-2014 Professional Affairs Standing Committee: Advancing the Pharmacy Profession Together through Pharmacy Technician and Pharmacy Education Partnerships

“…services (e.g., medication reconciliation, asthma education, smoking cessation, prescription error reduction, telepharmacy, drive-through pharmacy) 31,32,33,34,35,36,37 , importance of pharmacy technician credentialing for successful pharmacy services 38 , pharmacy technician roles to enhance pharmacy clinical and operational capabilities 39,40,41 , versus collaborations with pharmacy technician programs 42,43 or pharmacy technician-to-student pharmacist pathway programs. 44,45 In order to gather more information to address their second charge, the PAC chose to investigate the current relationships and successful practices between schools/ colleges of pharmacy and institutions engaged in pharmacy technician education.…”

Eskişehir’de Eczane Teknisyenleri üzerine Bir Araştırma

“…Delegating these responsibilities to the technician helps the pharmacist to interact more extensively with patients and fulfill administrative duties. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have to work together with a cooperation to keep pharmacy system going on well 6 .…”