Certification of pharmacy technicians

Abstract

Medications continue to be a significant and vital component of medical care. And while the complexity and scope of medication use continues to grow, the role of pharmacists in caring for patients is expanding to help meet patient needs for safe and effective care. In addition to this important role for pharmacists, it is clear that safe medication-use systems also require the support of well-qualified and competent pharmacy technicians. Recent reports in the media of tragic errors serve to reinforce this point. This letter is intended to reinforce the position of both the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) regarding the role of pharmacy technician certification in ensuring that individuals have demonstrated a professionally recognized level of competence in the handling and preparation of medications. Both APhA and ASHP have established professional policy on the importance of pharmacy technicians supporting the professional imperative of pharmacists in helping people make the best use of medicines. Pharmacists and the public require assurance that pharmacy technicians are qualified to handle the tasks delegated to them. We believe it will be difficult for pharmacy to achieve its vision for pharmacist practice unless the profession adopts uniform national standards for pharmacy technician education, training, certification, and registration. The pharmacy technician is accountable to the supervising pharmacist, who is legally responsible through state licensure for the care and safety of patients served by the pharmacy.