Clarifying the Role of Pharmacy Technicians: Addressing Common Areas of Misunderstanding
The College’s practice advisors routinely conduct practice assessments of Part A pharmacy technicians in their Designated Practice Assessment (DPA) site. This article shares the most common misconceptions advisors have encountered about the activities that pharmacy technicians can perform. For each item, we highlight what pharmacy technicians can () and can’t do () and share other important information to know.
It is important for patient safety that pharmacy technicians know and practice within their scope of practice and the authorized acts as set out by the Pharmacy Act (s3, 4) and other activities governed by legislation subject to the terms, conditions, and limitations (“TCLs”) on their certificate of registrationi. Every patient care activity must be performed within the limits of their knowledge, skills and judgment and to the minimum expectation set out in the Standards of Practice.
Note that this article is not intended to capture all aspects of pharmacy technician practice, which may vary depending on their workplace. For more information, please refer to the additional resources at the end of this article.
Don’t miss the chance to test your knowledge with our five-question quiz after reading the article!
Dispensing
CAN: Perform the technical check of a prescription.
CAN’T: Perform the therapeutic check or dispense a prescription without ensuring the pharmacist has performed the therapeutic check.
Important to know: Pharmacies must have processes in place to ensure that every prescription – new and refill – has both a technical and therapeutic check completed prior to release to the patient. This includes prescriptions dispensed in compliance aids, and any dose or regimen changes. Related FAQ: To what degree are pharmacy technicians allowed to work independently in the dispensary?
Enabled by the Scope of Practice and Authorized Acts (Pharmacy Act, s3, 4), and limited by the “TCLs” on every pharmacy technician’s certificate of registration (O. Reg. 256/24, s15)
Answering Patients’ Questions
CAN: Answer patient questions (e.g., provide information and educate patients) on drugs and medical devices, only if it does not require patient assessment, clinical analysis or application of therapeutic knowledge.
CAN’T: Answer patient questions that require patient assessment, clinical analysis or application of therapeutic knowledge. These must be referred to the pharmacist.
Important to know: Pharmacy technicians are expected to clearly document their decisions, actions and notes related to patient education in a timely manner (e.g., training provided on a medical device).
Enabled by the Scope of Practice (Pharmacy Act, s3), and limited by the “TCLs” on every pharmacy technician’s certificate of registration (O. Reg. 256/24, s15)
Administering a Substance by Injection
CAN: Administer a vaccine listed in Schedule 3 of O. Reg. 256/24 by injection.
CAN’T: Administer a vaccine without the pharmacist’s prior involvement, even if there are no red flags or concerns from the patient.
Important to know: Pharmacy technicians can only administer a vaccine after a pharmacist has assessed the patient and obtained informed consent, as outlined in the Administering a Substance by Injection guideline.
Enabled by the Authorized Act (Pharmacy Act, s4), and limited by the “TCLs” on every pharmacy technician’s certificate of registration (O. Reg. 256/24, s15)
Performing Point of Care Tests (POCT)
CAN: Pierce a patient’s dermis with a lancet-type device to obtain a blood sample for the purpose of performing specific POCTs.ii
CAN’T: Interpret the test results or make any professional decision(s) based on the results.
Important to Know: Pharmacy technicians must be under the direction of a Part A pharmacist who must interpret the test results, as outlined in the Piercing the Dermis for Demonstration and Point-of-Care Tests guideline.
Enabled by the Authorized Act (Pharmacy Act, s4), and limited by the “TCLs” on every pharmacy technician’s certificate of registration (O. Reg. 256/24, s15)
Delegating
CAN: Accept delegation of a controlled act.
CAN’T: Delegate a controlled act.
Important to Know: Pharmacy technicians accepting delegation of a controlled act must uphold the College’s expectations set out in the Medical Directive and Delegation of Controlled Acts policy. Delegation should only be accepted if the pharmacy technician feels they are competent to perform the delegated act or procedure.
Enabled by the Regulated Health Professions Act, s28, and limited by the “TCLs” on every pharmacy technician’s certificate of registration (O. Reg. 256/24, s15)
Accepting Verbal Prescriptions
CAN: Accept verbal prescriptions for drugs on the Prescription Drug List (PDL) only.
CAN’T: Accept verbal prescriptions for controlled substances.
Important to Know: Only pharmacists can accept verbal prescriptions for a controlled substance (narcotic, controlled drug, benzodiazepine and other targeted substance). See: Health Canda’s subsection 56(1) class exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA).
Enabled by the Food & Drug Regulations, C.01.041
Authorizing Prescription Transfers
CAN: Authorize prescription transfers for drugs on the Prescription Drug List (PDL) only.
CAN’T: Authorize prescription transfers for controlled substances.
Important to Know: Only pharmacists are authorized to transfer a prescription for a controlled substance (narcotic, controlled drug, benzodiazepine and other targeted substance) to another pharmacist. See: Health Canda’s subsection 56(1) class exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA).
Enabled by the Food & Drug Regulations, C.01.041
Completing Best Possible Medication Histories (BPMH)
CAN: Gather and document relevant information in the patient profile or record for a BPMH, including indication, medical conditions, allergies, and medication history.
CAN’T: Complete a medication reconciliation (“Med Rec”)
Important to Know: The terms BPMH and Med Rec are distinct and not interchangeable. The information gathered by pharmacy technicians for the BPMH is essential for completing a Med Rec. Because full medication reconciliation requires patient assessment and therapeutic knowledge, it cannot be completed by a pharmacy technician. BPMH may also be useful for other health care professionals within the patient’s circle of care to ensure continuity of care.
Limited by the “TCLs” on every pharmacy technician’s certificate of registration (O. Reg. 256/24, s15)
Compounding Standards: Pharmacy Technicians Must Be Aware of Their Responsibilities to Ensure Compounding Practices that Reflect NAPRA Standards
Practice advisors have noted that compounding is also an area where there may be confusion about the role of pharmacy technicians.
Pharmacy technicians are expected to be aware of and have sufficient knowledge of the NAPRA Standards for non-sterile and sterile compounding (if applicable to their practice). During practice assessments, practice advisors will be looking for evidence of understanding and application/implementation of the standards.
Pharmacy technicians are accountable for ensuring that any compounded products they are involved with (including if they are supervising others preparing compounds or signing off on a technical check) are prepared accurately and in line with the NAPRA standards.
A pharmacy technician listed as a compounding supervisor for a pharmacy is responsible for ensuring that all NAPRA compounding standards have been implemented in the pharmacy.
Related Resources
- Legal Authority for Scope of Practice and Authorized Acts for Pharmacy (PDF)
- Pharmacy Technician Scope of Practice Overview e-Learning Module
- Ensuring Therapeutic Appropriateness for New and Refill Prescriptions (Article)
- Administering a Substance by Injection: An Overview for Pharmacy Technicians (PDF)
- Community Practice Essentials: Five Requirements for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians (Article)
- Non-Sterile Compounding Practice Topic
- Sterile Compounding Practice Topic
i O. Reg. 256/24: General, s15
ii O. Reg. 45/22: General, s28(2)