What can pharmacy technicians NOT do?

Pharmacy technicians are crucial members of the pharmacy team, assisting with various tasks to enhance workflow and patient care. However, their scope of practice is clearly defined by both state and federal regulations. One critical limitation is that pharmacy technicians cannot accept oral orders for new prescriptions. This responsibility is reserved for licensed pharmacists, who are trained to assess the appropriateness of medications, verify patient information, and ensure overall safety in the dispensing process.

Accepting oral orders requires a level of clinical judgment and patient interaction that goes beyond the technician's role. Pharmacists must evaluate the patient's needs and medication history personally, which is vital to providing safe and effective care. Therefore, by law, pharmacy technicians do not have the authority to take oral prescription orders, marking this as a key distinction in their professional capabilities.

In contrast to this limitation, pharmacy technicians can refills of non-controlled drugs, assist in preparing prescriptions for final check, and even help in various administrative tasks involved in the consultation process, as these activities are within their scope of practice.