Why Are Pharmacy Technicians Restricted From Counseling Patients?

The most straightforward reason would be that pharmacy technicians do not have the appropriate training or credentials to provide counseling to patients, but rather than stopping there, let’s delve a little deeper into the topic and investigate why pharmacy technicians are not permitted to provide counseling to patients.

Why is it important for pharmacy technicians to study both prescription drug treatments and over the counter OTC drug treatments?

Many patients are under the mistaken impression that using over-the-counter (OTC) drugs does not expose them to any dangers or put them at risk for potential drug interactions. Many patients are under the mistaken impression that taking over-the-counter (OTC) drugs does not expose them to any dangers, adverse effects (AEs), contraindications, or any drug interactions that might arise.

• This is because they are simple to obtain, their prices are reasonable, and they may be used to cure problems that can be treated by the user themselves.
• Unfortunately, the availability of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, the absence of supervision from a doctor regarding their usage, and the incorrect assumptions mentioned above can frequently lead to overuse and even abuse of these medications.

However, the vast majority of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals were originally available only with a doctor’s prescription, but often in greater doses. Due to the mechanisms of action that they employ, many medications represent a risk for adverse effects.

• Although over-the-counter (OTC) medications can be purchased at a wide range of retail locations, the majority of OTC sales take place in community pharmacies.
• Because the use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications is so widespread, and because patients place a larger focus on treating themselves at home, one of the most essential responsibilities of pharmacy staff is to ensure that these medications are used in a way that is both safe and effective.

In order to mitigate the risk of misuse and addiction associated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications, pharmacists place a large amount of trust in pharmacy technicians to identify a possible issue during their initial encounters with patients who present themselves to the pharmacy.

• When shopping for over-the-counter pharmaceuticals or simply perusing the aisles, the vast majority of customers have their initial interactions with pharmacy technicians.
• Even though technicians are already expected to juggle a wide variety of work obligations, they could be encouraged to skim the over-the-counter drug section so that they can better serve patients.

These patients are frequently confused by brand and generic names, and this confusion is compounded by the labeling that is frequently used for these products, which includes tags such as “new formulation” and “only product with,” as well as nighttime and daytime formulations, extra strength, extended relief, and a variety of other formulations.

For instance, patients probably have very little idea that among cough and cold remedies, there are only a handful of active ingredients that can be combined in a variety of ways and come in a variety of dosages, but that these ingredients make up the entire array of hundreds of products that are available.

Technicians have sufficient knowledge to bring out facts such as these despite their lack of expertise in sophisticated pharmacology. Patients will likely develop a higher level of trust and loyalty toward the pharmacy as a result of this, in addition to being better consumers of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals.

• There is no evidence to support the hypothesis that ethical business activities and quality medical treatment cannot coexist.
• There are, of course, other concerns that go beyond only optimal use and the more basic queries posed by patients.
• Technicians need to get education and training on when to include the pharmacist, and sending patients to pharmacists helps assure both trust and the most effective administration of medications.

This is especially the case with concerns regarding appropriate dosing and potential interactions, which are even more important for patients who are pregnant, pediatric patients, and those with compromised renal function or immune systems, as even some over-the-counter medications can be problematic for these patients.

1. This is because these patients are more likely to experience side effects from the medication.
2. The fact that technicians are able to effectively act as a link between patients and pharmacists is a critically significant capability.
3. When technicians are provided with a more comprehensive education on how to serve in this role, they will be better able to carry out the tasks required of them.

A fundamental understanding of the names of medications and the components of such medications is useful, but so are abilities in communication and patient triage. It is important for technicians to be familiar with the over-the-counter medications that are misused the most frequently.

• These can include various antihistamines, cough medications, analgesics, laxatives, and decongestants, with analgesics like ibuprofen and acetaminophen being the pharmaceuticals that are abused the most frequently.
• Other drugs that are commonly abused include decongestants and laxatives.1-3 For instance, one out of every four patients would take more than the prescribed amount of acetaminophen if they took one or more over-the-counter medicines that had it as the active component, leading to an overdose.2 Technicians can be vigilant while selling over-the-counter medications that fall into these categories in order to minimize the improper use of these medications and tell the pharmacist when a patient buys two pills that have the same active component.

Here is when the technician’s fundamental understanding of over-the-counter medicines comes in helpful. Additional methods that technicians can use to address general indicators of misuse and abuse of over-the-counter (OTC) medications include keeping an eye out for patients who buy unusually large quantities of a product and keeping track of the frequency with which a patient may come in to buy the same medication.4 Technicians are able to retain a record of over-the-counter (OTC) purchases in their patient profiles and bring to the notice of the pharmacist any potential warning signs that may call for further vigilance and monitoring.

1. This brings up the question of documentation, which is one of the significant value-added duties that competent technicians are able to bring to the table.
2. Even though a patient’s prescription medicine will invariably be included in their medication record, it is nevertheless essential for technicians to capture patients’ usage of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals.

It’s possible that some of these details will end up being crucial information for prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs). This is not always a simple task because over-the-counter sales might be made at the cash register in the front of the store, or they could take place during extremely busy periods at the prescription counter.

• Nevertheless, any documentation at all can be useful in maximizing the effectiveness of pharmaceutical usage.
• In addition, the fact that patients may buy over-the-counter medications from other sources highlights the need of accurate medication histories being taken by technicians as well as the utilization of open-ended questioning in the course of patient engagement.

Patients’ access to safe and effective over-the-counter medicines is largely dependent on the efforts of pharmacy technicians. It is necessary for them to have a fundamental understanding of medicinal products, as well as abilities in communication, knowledge of law and ethics, as well as the ability to effectively delegate responsibilities and receive training from their pharmacist supervisors.

• The Authors of the Work PharmD Candidate at the Touro University California College of Pharmacy, Ashley Saclolo holds a Master of Science degree.
• Professor of Social and Behavioral Pharmacy at the Touro University California College of Pharmacy, Shane P.
• Desselle holds an RPh, PhD, and FAPhA certifications in the field.

References Sansgiry S, Bhansali A, Bapat S, Xu Q. Abuse of drugs available without a prescription: the viewpoint of a pharmacist. doi:10.2147/iprp. s103494. Integrated Pharmacy Research and Practice.2016.6:1-6. The authors of this study are Wolf MS, King J, Jacobson, K, Di Francesco L, and Bailey SC, among others.

• Products containing acetaminophen that do not require a prescription carry the potential for unintended overdose.2012;27(12):1587-1593 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
• [Citation needed] Kaufman DW, Kelly JP, Battista DR, Malone MK, Weinstein RB, Shiffman S.
• Users of ibuprofen have been found to use more than the recommended daily dosage of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines.

Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf .2018;27(3):322-331. Misuse of over-the-counter products, Halasi S. Retrieved on May 21, 2020, from the following website: https://www. canadianhealthcarenetwork. ca/files/2009/10/tt ce e apr may07. pdf.

Can pharmacy technician recommend OTC?

Do Pharmacy Technicians Have the Authority to Recommend Over-the-Counter Products? – To reiterate, as a pharmaceutical technician, you do not have the education or licensing necessary to counsel consumers regarding the proper use of pharmaceuticals (including over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements).

• When it comes to over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, clients may want basic information that is conveniently located on the packaging of OTC medications.
• For instance, a client might inquire as to what an analgesic is, what the term “enteric-coated” refers to, which other brands are available, or any number of other common inquiries that can be securely addressed without the need to transfer the consumer to the pharmacist.

Once more, there is some wiggle room with regard to the subject. You should be able to advise patients according to the directions that are clearly displayed on the bottle. It should be made abundantly clear that you are referring to the instructions that have been written by the manufacturer, and that individual usage may vary according to the instructions provided by a doctor.

1. You are permitted to provide answers to queries that are relatively straightforward, such as whether or not a drug has to be taken with food.
2. If you get a question from a client that you believe goes outside the scope of standard pharmacological knowledge, you should evaluate the situation using your best judgment.

If you have any issues about the correct way to administer an over-the-counter drug or diet supplement, the appropriate dosage, uses, or effects of the medication, or if you have any questions that require a professional opinion or judgment, you should see a pharmacist.

What is the first task a pharmacy technician will do when performing medication reconciliation?

When completing medication reconciliation, what is the first job that a pharmacy technician will complete? putting up a list of all the drugs now available.

What role can a pharmacy technician play in medication reconciliation?

The purpose of this abstract is to offer an overview of the process of medication reconciliation and to highlight possibilities for pharmacy technicians to assist in improving the safety of their patients and the quality of the treatment they get. Data Sources: Literature were found by conducting searches in May 2016 using search phrases aimed to locate English-language articles detailing the function of the pharmacy technician, medication reconciliation, and transitions of care.

1. These searches were done using MEDLINE/PubMed (2000-2016).
2. In addition, we utilized information on medication reconciliation that were provided by The Joint Commission, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, the American Pharmacists Association, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Articles explaining the function of the pharmacy technician, medication reconciliation, and transitions of care were selected for the study, and then the data from those articles were extracted. Data Synthesis: Pharmacy technicians are able to assist pharmacists in the process of medication reconciliation by taking on three distinct roles within the procedure.

• These roles include obtaining relevant patient information from outpatient pharmacies and health care providers, obtaining preadmission medication history, and documenting the compiled medication list.
• Improved patient care, as well as the capacity of pharmacists to interact with physicians and, consequently, to clinically engage in patient care, can result from the contribution of pharmacy technicians, who can assist in the resolution of inconsistencies in medication lists.

In addition, with the right training, pharmacy technicians may be able to take on extended tasks with the goal of assisting pharmacists in providing advanced patient care services, reducing the likelihood of medication errors, and enhancing the quality of care transitions.

Can pharmacy technician witness methadone?

Integrating Pharmacy Technicians into Community Practice

The administration of methadone requires the presence of a pharmacist at all times. It is not possible for a pharmacy technician or any other member of the pharmacy team to take on this responsibility. methadone dosage preparation and carrying out the final check on the finished product are the tasks at hand. CORRECT OR INCORRECT?