New Blog 1: Certified Pharmacy Technician

Saturday 1 December 2012

Certified Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with orders, inventory and office work. They also work with customers and may be called upon to answer questions or explain different drugs. There are two national organizations that offer pharmacy technician certification: The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT). A pharmacy technician must be carefully trained and be knowledgeable in the weighing, measuring, labeling and preparation of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Only medical doctors can prescribe prescription medication, but it is the role of the pharmacist to provide the patient with their medications and the instructions on their use. In some cases, this can involve the substitution of a generic drug for the prescribed one, though such decisions are likely to be made by the licensed pharmacist. The pharmacy technician is likely to deal directly with customers, filling their prescription and making suggestions about OTC remedies.