Can Pharmacy Technicians Recommend OTC Products? Again, as a pharmaceutical tech, you are not trained or licensed to advise customers with regard to medications (including over the counter drugs and diet supplements) and their use.
What is the liability of a pharmacist in an OTC case?
What would a pharmacist do to avoid liability?
What does the judge say about advice from a pharmacy?
What is the duty of care of a pharmacist in Utah?
Can a patient sue a pharmacist for OTC?
Do pharmacists have a duty to their customers?
Can pharmacists give advice on non prescription drugs?
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What is a pharmacy technician not allowed to do?
Because pharmacy technicians do not undergo the medical training that pharmacists do, they are barred from advising customers on medications, including over-the-counter drugs and diet supplements.
Why should pharmacy technicians be familiar with OTC drugs?
Technicians can exercise vigilance when selling OTC drugs in these categories to reduce inappropriate use and informing the pharmacist when a patient purchases 2 medications with the same active ingredient. This is where the technician's basic knowledge of OTC drugs comes in handy.
What must a pharmacy technician always do to avoid mistakes?
Carefully confirm the patient's exact name and date of birth. Always write the patient's date of birth on the hard copy of the prescription. Always update any new allergies to medications or new medications into the patient's profile. Always make sure that the prescription is for the correct medication.
When must a pharmacy technician provide a medication guide to a patient?
FDA requires that Medication Guides be issued with certain prescribed drugs and biological products when the Agency determines that: certain information is necessary to prevent serious adverse effects. patient decision-making should be informed by information about a known serious side effect with a product, or.
What are at least 4 Responsibilities of a pharmacy technician?
Common tasks and duties include:Preparing new prescription and refill requests for patients.Dispensing medication to patients per the prescription, or provider's orders.Packing and labeling a prescribed medication.Processing insurance claims.Tracking inventory.More items...
What role do pharmacists play in OTC medicine?
The pharmacists play a vital role in controlling the number of medications being dispensed as OTC drugs. They can also counsel and advise the consumers regarding OTC medications.
What is the hardest part of being a pharmacy technician?
In your role, you face many demands that even the most seasoned technicians consider challenging. We understand patient care is at the top of your list of concerns....Inventory ManagementAccurate and regular inventory management. ... Accurately identifying controlled substances. ... Timely tracking of recalled drugs.
What is an example of highly unprofessional behavior of a pharmacy technician?
Counseling Patients On Medications Pharmacy technicians are prohibited from counseling customers on any medications, including those that are sold over the counter. Pharmacy techs lack the necessary training to suggest any type of treatment and are encouraged to avoid offering advice of this nature.
What are pharmacy technicians only 5 responsibilities?
5 Important pharmacy technician dutiesReceiving and confirming prescription orders. What does a pharmacy tech do day-to-day? ... Preparing and filling prescriptions. ... Interacting with customers and answering questions. ... Managing inventory and performing organization tasks. ... Various specialized roles.
What are some of the common duties that a pharmacy technician will be responsible for each day in a hospital pharmacy?
Common duties for pharmacy techniciansPreparing patient prescriptions. ... Receive prescription requests. ... Pricing prescriptions. ... Determining potential drug interactions. ... Interacting with patients. ... Managing pharmacy inventory. ... Processing medical insurance claims for medications. ... Ensuring medications are properly stored.More items...
What are 3 rules to follow when taking prescription?
Read the directions on the label and ask your healthcare provider how much you should take and when. Never skip taking your prescription medicine. Talk to your healthcare provider before you stop taking your medicines. Only take the suggested dose.
When must you provide medication guide?
The Medication Guide must be provided in outpatient settings, even when the drug is dispensed to a healthcare professional for administration to the patient, the first time the drug is dispensed, and if the Medication Guide is materially changed.
Why is it important for technicians to know medication names?
Medication safety is enhanced when technicians know medical/pharmacy terminology and drug names, especially if they enter prescriptions. New drugs are a risk because technicians, and pharmacists, may not be aware of them early on and may instead see and select something else.
Why should a pharmacy technician be aware of indications of a drug?
In these initial interactions, it is important for technicians to have an understanding and awareness of potential warning signs or “red flags” indicating a patient is attempting to misuse a prescription or fill an illegal prescription that could result in drug abuse.
Why is it so important for a pharmacy technician to know both the brand and generic names?
Typically, medications are known by both their brand and generic name. Some healthcare professionals or patients may use them interchangeably, making it imperative to know both names for each medication to establish effective communication.
Why is it important to document OTC medications?
Often these nonprescription choices are unknown to health care practitioners and thus are often not included as part of patients' health records. The exclusion of these therapies can pose risks to patient safety.
What is the role of a pharmacy technician?
Pharmacy technicians can play an important role in safe and effective use of OTCs by patients. It requires their basic knowledge of drug products, coupled with skills in communication and knowledge of law and ethics, along with effective delegation and training by their pharmacist supervisors.
Where are OTC drugs sold?
Although some OTCs are sold in a variety of retail outlets, most sales occur in community pharmacies. Given the ubiquity of OTC use and a greater emphasis by patients on self-treatment, one of the more important roles of pharmacy personnel is to ensure their safe and effective use. To ameliorate the potential for abuse and addiction with OTC drugs, pharmacists rely heavily on pharmacy technicians to recognize a potential problem during their initial interactions with patients who present to the pharmacy.
What are the most commonly abused OTC drugs?
Technicians should become aware of the most commonly abused OTC drugs. These include certain antihistamines , cough medicines, analgesics, laxatives, and decongestants, with analgesics such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen being the most frequently misused drugs. 1-3
How to address OTC misuse and abuse?
Additional methods technicians can address general indicators of OTC misuse and abuse is by being aware of patients who purchase unusually large quantities of a product and taking note of how frequently a patient may come in to purchase the same drug. 4 Technicians can keep track of OTC purchases in their patient profiles and bring to the attention of the pharmacist any red flags that may stir caution and oversight.
What is the role of a technologist?
Technicians Can Play an Important Role Preventing Abuse, Optimizing Use of OTC Medications. Many patients are under the false assumption that there are no risks or potential drug interactions posed by taking OTC medications. Many patients are under the false assumption that there are no risks, adverse effects (AEs), contraindication, ...
What skills do technicians need to be able to perform their job?
Some basic knowledge of drug names and ingredients is helpful, but so are communication and triaging skills .
Where do OTC purchases take place?
This is not always easy, as OTC purchases might be completed at the front register or might take place during very harried times at the prescription counter.
What does a pharmacy technician do?
Pharmacy technicians may assist with customer communications, confirming eligibility or clearing up discrepancies with medical professionals and insurance providers, submitting refill requests, filling prescriptions, and other essential duties.
What is the difference between a pharmacy technician and a pharmacy assistant?
The key difference between a pharmacy technician and a pharmacy assistant is the level of training required for each role, and the subsequent responsibilities that follow. Think of it as a three-tiered hierarchy. The pharmacists are at the top, and they handle the high-level tasks that require advanced training and knowledge.
Can Pharmacy Technicians Recommend OTC Products?
Again, as a pharmaceutical tech, you are not trained or licensed to advise customers with regard to medications (including over the counter drugs and diet supplements) and their use.
Can a Pharmacy Technician Fill Prescriptions?
Yes, filling prescriptions is just one of the many pharmacy technician duties that are performed on a daily basis. As a pharmaceutical tech, you can expect to fill several prescriptions in any given day. Just remember that before you dispense the medications, a pharmacist must review your work to ensure everything is in order and properly filled.
What does a pharmacy assistant do?
A pharmacy assistant may also set up retail displays for relevant pharmaceutical products and promotions.
What is a pharmacist?
As a rule of thumb, refer to a pharmacist for any questions involving patient assessment, the proper administration, dosage, uses, or effects of a medication (whether prescription, OTC, or diet supplement); and for any questions that require a professional opinion or judgment. Do not be afraid to admit your lack of expertise.
Is pharmacy technician a good career?
Becoming a pharmacy technician is a fantastic career path with great advancement opportunities and lucrative pay. However, there are a few rules and guidelines you’ll need to adhere to during your time as a technician. In this article, we’ll discuss the terms and limitations of a pharmacy technician counseling patients, ...
What is the liability of a pharmacist in an OTC case?
In the dispensing of prescription drugs, pharmacists often have limited liabilities to warn of adverse consequences associated with the use of medications; under the holding of this case, a pharmacist could be held liable any time he or she advised a patient on whether or not it was safe to use an OTC medication and the patient suffered damages as a result.
What would a pharmacist do to avoid liability?
In order to avoid liability in this situation, the pharmacist would have to check the patient’s medication records, make inquiries into the patient’s medical conditions, and be reasonably assured that the drug being considered is appropriate for that patient.
What does the judge say about advice from a pharmacy?
The judge wrote: “This advice has an independently powerful effect on the purchaser.” Most tellingly, the judge stated: “In a modern day pharmacy, where pharmacists serve as both sellers and service providers, if a pharmacy offers advice and recommendations about nonprescription drugs, and that advice turns out to be contrary to what a reasonably prudent pharmacist would give in a similar situation, the pharmacy cannot reap the benefits of offering advice but then hide behind [a limited duty to warn] doctrine to avoid the consequences if their advice is incorrect. This is especially so when pharmacies often hold themselves out to the public and [their] customers as experts on drugs—both prescription and nonprescription alike.” 1
What is the duty of care of a pharmacist in Utah?
The pharmacy contends that under Utah law, the pharmacist’s duty of care extend s to the filling of prescription drug orders correctly and that because pseudoephedrine was an OTC product, the pharmacist had no duty to warn the plaintiff’s husband of adverse effects from taking the drug. The pharmacy also argued that imposing liability under the circumstances of this case would force customers to choose between consulting with their physician about every medication or attempting to make an educated decision on their own. According to the court, it appeared that the pharmacy was contending that the pharmacist is exempt from any and all liability in giving advice to customers about nonprescription drugs even when the pharmacist “dispenses bad advice.” 1
Can a patient sue a pharmacist for OTC?
It is logical to assume that patients come to pharmacies to shop for OTC products knowing that a pharmacist is available to help them make wise decisions. If the patient can sue the pharmacist anytime something goes wrong, more pharmacists are going to be reluctant to provide any information about OTC drugs.
Do pharmacists have a duty to their customers?
The judge went on to comment that imposition of a duty regarding nonprescription drugs is consistent with public policy. He concluded that policy judgments applied to the relationship between a pharmacist and a customer mandate that pharmacists have a duty to their customers. He also stated that pharmacists can avoid liability for failure to warn in the prescription drug context when they are viewed only as service providers because the law restricts what they can “sell.” A pharmacist can only sell what the customer’s doctor has prescribed to the customer. In the prescription drug setting, according to this judge, pharmacists are not sellers because they do not market or sell prescription drugs to customers and customers do not choose which prescription drugs they will purchase based upon the recommendations or advice of the pharmacist.
Can pharmacists give advice on non prescription drugs?
The judge interpreted Utah law as recognizing that pharmacists and pharmacies may give advice and recommendations to customers about nonprescription drugs. He quoted the Utah statute defining patient counseling as “the written and oral communication by the pharmacist or pharmacy intern of information to the patient or caregiver in order to ensure proper use of drugs” 3 and concluded that this includes counseling on nonpre scription medications.
What is a pharmacy technician?
Pharmacy technician--An individual who is registered with the Board as a pharmacy technician and whose responsibility in a pharmacy is to provide technical services that do not require professional judgment regarding preparing and distributing drugs and who works under the direct supervision of and is responsible to a pharmacist.
What is the best medicine to give a patient who asks for a zantac?
If a patient asks for any zantac/motrin/aleve I recommend ranitidine/ibuprofen/naproxen respectivly to save the patient money.
Why is antibiotic prescribed?
The antibiotic was prescribed because it is what kills the bug thats in/on you. If they want ear wax remover, I simply tell them what aisle to go down, its location, and the name of a product within the aisle so they can locate. For example, Debrox and other products are down aisle 15 on the right midway down.
Should I ask a pharmacist about a drug?
I agree with others above- it's better to ask the pharmacist if it has anything to do with how a drug works, or what it's for specifically.
Who is responsible for pharmacist actions?
interns may also counsel, but as always the pharmacist is responsible for their actions.
Is it irresponsible to not say anything to a patient?
In some circumstances, I think it would be pretty irresponsible to NOT say anything to a patient, particularly in the example where they're getting multiple products with tylenol. I wouldn't go so far as to tell them not to take something, but I would strongly suggest to them that they don't take both and should definitely talk to a pharmacist about it.
Is bolding a drug illegal?
The bolded areas are illegal for a tech to do per state law in the four states I have worked in, ESPECIALLY the first one. In those cases you are providing medical advice which is against the law, even if it is as simple as naming what a drug is used for. There are many uses for drugs that you may be unaware of.
What is the liability of a pharmacist in an OTC case?
In the dispensing of prescription drugs, pharmacists often have limited liabilities to warn of adverse consequences associated with the use of medications; under the holding of this case, a pharmacist could be held liable any time he or she advised a patient on whether or not it was safe to use an OTC medication and the patient suffered damages as a result.
What would a pharmacist do to avoid liability?
In order to avoid liability in this situation, the pharmacist would have to check the patient’s medication records, make inquiries into the patient’s medical conditions, and be reasonably assured that the drug being considered is appropriate for that patient.
What does the judge say about advice from a pharmacy?
The judge wrote: “This advice has an independently powerful effect on the purchaser.” Most tellingly, the judge stated: “In a modern day pharmacy, where pharmacists serve as both sellers and service providers, if a pharmacy offers advice and recommendations about nonprescription drugs, and that advice turns out to be contrary to what a reasonably prudent pharmacist would give in a similar situation, the pharmacy cannot reap the benefits of offering advice but then hide behind [a limited duty to warn] doctrine to avoid the consequences if their advice is incorrect. This is especially so when pharmacies often hold themselves out to the public and [their] customers as experts on drugs—both prescription and nonprescription alike.” 1
What is the duty of care of a pharmacist in Utah?
The pharmacy contends that under Utah law, the pharmacist’s duty of care extend s to the filling of prescription drug orders correctly and that because pseudoephedrine was an OTC product, the pharmacist had no duty to warn the plaintiff’s husband of adverse effects from taking the drug. The pharmacy also argued that imposing liability under the circumstances of this case would force customers to choose between consulting with their physician about every medication or attempting to make an educated decision on their own. According to the court, it appeared that the pharmacy was contending that the pharmacist is exempt from any and all liability in giving advice to customers about nonprescription drugs even when the pharmacist “dispenses bad advice.” 1
Can a patient sue a pharmacist for OTC?
It is logical to assume that patients come to pharmacies to shop for OTC products knowing that a pharmacist is available to help them make wise decisions. If the patient can sue the pharmacist anytime something goes wrong, more pharmacists are going to be reluctant to provide any information about OTC drugs.
Do pharmacists have a duty to their customers?
The judge went on to comment that imposition of a duty regarding nonprescription drugs is consistent with public policy. He concluded that policy judgments applied to the relationship between a pharmacist and a customer mandate that pharmacists have a duty to their customers. He also stated that pharmacists can avoid liability for failure to warn in the prescription drug context when they are viewed only as service providers because the law restricts what they can “sell.” A pharmacist can only sell what the customer’s doctor has prescribed to the customer. In the prescription drug setting, according to this judge, pharmacists are not sellers because they do not market or sell prescription drugs to customers and customers do not choose which prescription drugs they will purchase based upon the recommendations or advice of the pharmacist.
Can pharmacists give advice on non prescription drugs?
The judge interpreted Utah law as recognizing that pharmacists and pharmacies may give advice and recommendations to customers about nonprescription drugs. He quoted the Utah statute defining patient counseling as “the written and oral communication by the pharmacist or pharmacy intern of information to the patient or caregiver in order to ensure proper use of drugs” 3 and concluded that this includes counseling on nonpre scription medications.
