PHARMACY TECHNICIAN ROLE

Role in assisting the Pharmacist in the preparation of prescriptions

Receiving a written prescription or request for a prescription refill
from the patient or representative
Ensuring completeness of information on prescription
Preparation of prescription labels
Retrieving, counting, pouring, weighing, measuring, and mixing
medications
Reconstituting medications
Selecting type of prescription container
Affixing prescription and auxiliary labels to prescription containers
Pricing prescriptions
Filling prescriptions
Establishing and maintaining patient profiles
Repackaging and labeling of medications
Maintaining packaging and dispensing equipment
Preparing specialty products
Role Clerical Activities
Preparing and reconciling third party billings
Preparing receipts, invoices, letters and memos and general filling
Maintaining drug information files
Receiving and sending electronic communication
Billing of medication
Role- Communicating Skills
Communicating with customers, physicians and suppliers
Questions relating to prescription, drug information, poison
information, or any health matter must be referred to the pharmacist
Role- Inventory management
Monitoring stock levels to ensure sufficient quantities for optimal
operation
Preparing and placing orders from specified sources
Receiving and checking supplies purchased
Restocking medications and related supplies

 Rotating stock and monitoring expiration dates

Identifying expired products for disposal, destruction, or return to
manufacturer
POLICIES WITH REGARDS TO SALE AND PRICE OF SYRINGES
It is inappropriate for a pharmacy to have a policy for the pricing of
needles and syringes which is determined according to the reason of
use.
The placement of needles and syringes and their sale is left to the
professional judgement of the pharmacist
Although OCP encouraged pharmacists to sell syringes to anyone requesting
them, the matter is left to the professional judgement of the individual
pharmacist.
ARE PHYSICIANS ABLE TO PRESCRIBE FOR THEMSELVES?
Physicians place themselves at risk of losing their privilege to
prescribe, possess or dispense narcotics and controlled drugs by
repeatedly prescribing to themselves or members of their immediate
family.
Self-prescribing is in violation of Code of Ethics.
Physicians should not obtain drugs for their won or for family except
in an emergency
CONFIDENTIALITY OF PATIENT INFORMATION
The pharmacist reserves the confidentiality of information about individual
patient acquired in the course of his or her professional practice, and does
not divulge this information except where authorized by the patient or
required by law.
Spouses
If someone is asking a copy of his or her spouses prescription information,
get permission from the patient whose information is being released.
Children
Children aged 13 and above is entitled to decide who will have access to
their information. This may not be true if the parents insurance is paying for
the prescription, but let the parent get that information from the insurer and
not from you.

Estates
The executor of the estate is entitled to request the prescription information
of someone who is deceased and he is also entitled to give permission for its
release to another party.
Third Parties
Third parties payors right s to information regarding its subscribers are
governed by the agreement they have with their subscribers and the
pharmacy.
Investigations
Police are entitled to information only if they have search warrant.
Investigators from OCP have access to this information by virtue of the laws
governing the practice of pharmacy.

MAILING OF PRESCRIPTION TO PATIENTS WHILE IN U.S.

Narcotic and controlled drugs cannot be mailed to U.S.
U.S. customs requires some documentation for all medications sent to
Canadian Citizens at U.S. address.
If patients carries these types of medications into U.S. they are
advised to obtain a letter from their physician attesting their treatment.
Can canadian pharmacy accept prescription from a U.S prescriber? NO.
What is the role of the pharmacy technician to assist the pharmacist?
I. Receive written prescription from regular customer
II. Research drug information from the internet
III. Talk to physician regarding prescription
A-I only
B-III only
C-I and II only
D-II and III only
E-All of the above
Ans:A

NARCOTIC, CONTROLLED DRUGS AND BENZODIAZEPINES

AND OTHER TARGETED SUBSTANCES
Classification and Description
Legal Requirements
Narcotic Drugs
1 narcotic (eg, Cocaine,
Written prescription required
Codeine, Hydromorphone,
Verbal prescription not permitted
Morphine)
Refills not permitted
1 narcotis + 1 active non-narc
Part-fills permitted for written
ingredient
prescription

(eg. Empracet-30, Tylenol No

all narcotics for parenteral use
Fentanyl, Pethidine)
All products containing
diamorphine
(hospital only), hydrocodone,
oxycodone,
methadone or pentazocine.
Dextropropoxyphene,
Propoxyphene (straight)

1.
2.
3.
4.

Narcotic Preparations
Verbal prescription
narcotics: 1 narcotic + 2 or
more active non-narcotic
ingredients. (eg. Fiorinal w/
Codeine, Tylenol No.2 and
3)
Exempted codeine
compounds: codeine up to 8
mg/solid dosage form or
20mg/30ml liquid + 2 or
more active non-narcotic
ingredients
(Robitussin w/ Codeine,
Atasol-8)

prescription
For part fills, copies of
prescription should be made in
reference to the original
prescription. Indicate in original
Rx:
new prescription number
date of part fill
quantity dispensed
pharmacists initials
Transfer not permitted
Record and retain all documents
pertaining to all transactions for
a period of at least 2 years.
Report any loss or theft of
narcotic drugs as well as forged
prescriptions within 10 days to
the Office of Controlled
Substances.

Written or Verbal prescription

permitted
Refills not permitted
Part-fills permitted for written
and verbal prescriptions
For part fills, copies of
prescription should be made in
reference to the original
prescription. Indicate in original
Rx:
1. new prescription number
2. date of part fill
3. quantity dispensed
4. pharmacists initials
Transfer not permitted
Exempted Codeine compounds
when dispensed pursuant to a
prescription follow the same
regulations as for verbal

prescription narcotics.
Record and retain all documents
pertaining to all transactions for
a period of at least 2 years.
Sales reports not required.
Report any loss or theft of
narcotic drugs as well as forged
prescriptions within 10 days to
the Office of Controlled
Substances.
Controlled Drugs
Part I
Eg. Amphetamines,
Methylphenidate,
Pentobarbital, Secobarbital
preparations: 1 controlled drug
+ 1 or more active noncontrolled drugs. (CafergotPB)

Written or Verbal prescription

permitted
Refills not permitted for verbal
prescriptions
Refills permitted for written
prescription if prescriber has
indicated in writing the number
of refills and the dates for, or
intervals between refills
Part-fills permitted for written
and verbal prescriptions
For refills and part fills, copies of
prescription should be made in
reference to the original
prescription.
Indicate in original Rx:
1. new prescription number
2. date of repeat or part fill
3. quantity dispensed
4. pharmacists initials
Transfer not permitted
Record and retain all documents
pertaining to all transactions for
a period of at least 2 years.
Sales reports required except for
controlled drug preparations.
Report any loss or theft of
narcotic drugs as well as forged

 Part II
Eg. Barbiturates(Amobarbital,
Phenobarbital)
Butorphanol, Diethylpropion,
Nalbuphine, Phenthermine
preparations: 1 controlled drug
+ 1 or more active
noncontrolled ingredients
(Fiorinal)
Part III
Eg. Anabolic steroids
(methyltestosterone,
nandrolone decanoate)

Benzodiazepines and Other

Targeted Substances
Eg. Alprazolam,
Bronazapam,
Chlordiazepoxide,
Clobazam, Lorazepam,
Mazindol, Meporbamate,

prescriptions within 10 days to

the Office of Controlled
Substances.
Written or Verbal prescription
permitted
Refills permitted for written or
verbal prescriptions if prescriber
has indicated in writing the
number of refills and the dates
for, or intervals between refills
Part-fills permitted for written
and verbal prescriptions
For refills and part fills, copies of
prescription should be made in
reference to the original
prescription.
Indicate in original Rx:
1. new prescription number
2. date of repeat or part fill
3. quantity dispensed
4. pharmacists initials
Transfer not permitted
Record and retain all documents
pertaining to all transactions for
a period of at least 2 years.
Sales reports not required.
Report any loss or theft of
narcotic drugs as well as forged
prescriptions within 10 days to
the Office of Controlled
Substances.
Written or Verbal prescription
permitted
Refills permitted for written or
verbal prescriptions if prescriber
has indicated in writing the
number of refills and the dates

Oxazepam

for, or intervals between refills

Part-fills permitted for written
and verbal prescriptions
For refills and part fills, copies of
prescription should be made in
reference to the original
prescription.
Indicate in original Rx:
1. new prescription number
2. date of repeat or part fill
3. quantity dispensed
4. pharmacists initials
Transfer of prescription
permitted except prescription
that has already been transferred.
Record and retain all documents
pertaining to all transactions for
a period of at least 2 years.
Sales reports not required.
Report any loss or theft of
narcotic drugs as well as forged
prescriptions within 10 days to
the Office of Controlled
Substances.