Question

how do you think the technician is best able to serve the public? Do you think they should receive special training or certification with respect to these drugs?

Do you know Techs are most likely the ones to ring up products along with Rx items and answering questions from the public, and It is estimated that 50% of all OTC consumption is by the elderly? Often the geriatric population will over-medicate, duplicate therapy as they are taking Rx meds or have adverse drug reactions. This can occur in the pediatric population as well. So how do you think the technician can play a role in avoiding these situations? Has anyone had a family member that had an adverse incident while taking OTC drugs? Discuss whether the scope of practice for pharmacy techs should change in state with regard to these drugs? Is your pharmacology and job training enough to better assist the public with these products?

Answer 1

Answer: The pharmacy technician should have special training regarding the these drugs. The technicians have skills to provide education as well as teaching to the patients regarding the drugs. They need to make patient undery about the consumption of the drugs as well as the the food intake. This could prevent drug interaction and adverse events. The technicians should also inform about the side effects and the adverse effects which the patient should report immediately to the physician.