PRINCIPLE OF PHARMACY TECHNICIAN PRACTICE
PTP 312
DEFINITION OF TERMS
PHARMACIST: a pharmacy graduate who is registered and licensed to practice by PCN
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN: is a graduate of college/ school of Health Technology who has
successfully passed Pharmacy Technician Training program in an institution approved by the
council
CERTIFICATE PHARMACY TECHNICIAN: is a graduate of college/ school of Health
Technology who has successfully undergone Pharmacy Technician Training program in an
institution approved by the council and has successfully passed the National pre certification
examination (NPCE) Such person must be registered by the PCN and licensed to practice.
ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF A PHARMACIST
Pharmacists are responsible for:
The quality of medicines supplied to patients
Ensuring that the supply of medicines is within the law
Ensuring that the medicines prescribed to patients are suitable
Advising patients about medicines, including how to take them, what reactions may occur
and answering patients' questions.
Supervise the medicines supply chain and ensure pharmacy premises and systems are fit
for purpose
Advise other healthcare professionals about safe and effective medicines use, and safe
and secure supply of medicines
Respond to patients' symptoms and advise on medicines for sale in pharmacies
Provide services to patients, such as smoking cessation, blood pressure measurement and
cholesterol management
Supervise the production and preparation of medicines and assessments of quality of
medicines before they are supplied to patients from pharmaceutical manufacturers.
They play an essential role in educating patients about using or administering their
medications. Likewise, they serve as a "final check" to ensure that doses are correct and
that a patient will not experience negative or harmful drug interactions.
Verifying dosage on medications prescribed by health care providers
Preparing prescriptions according to prescriber instructions
Ensuring whether or not a particular medication will interact with other medications used
by the patient
Verifying that the patient is not otherwise at risk of adverse reactions caused by a
prescription
Educating patients about how and when to take or administer the prescription
Advising patients about potential side effects of medication and answering any questions
they may have
Administering various vaccinations, such as flu shots
Oversee and manage pharmacy interns and technicians
Basic record-keeping and administrative tasks, as required
ROLES OF PHARMACIST TECHNICIAN IN COMMUNITY PHARMACY PRACTICE
Assist in store management and inventory control
Record prescription order, interpret and dispense prescription
Counseling of patients
Packaging and labeling
Help in extemporaneous preparations
Provision of drug information/ health tips to the community
Perform administrative function as assigned by the Pharmacist
Keep drug inventory
Assist in documentation
Seek assistance or refer situation to the Pharmacists that falls beyond the scope of his/her
practice or personal competencies
Assist in billing and re imbursement (NHIA)
Ensuring the cleanliness of the environment
Assist in organization of community health talk
Re-enforce the availability of the Pharmacy for discussion or recommendations
Help to manage the Pharmacy environment to ensure safety cleanliness, quality and
integrity of the drugs
Recognize and work within their scope of practice and limit
They help document problems reported by the patient for Pharmacovigilance use.
ROLES OF PHARMACIST TECHNICIAN IN HOSPTIAL PHARMACY PRACTICE
Assist in store management and inventory control
Record prescription order, interpret and dispense prescription
Counseling of patients
Packaging and labeling
Help in extemporaneous preparations
Provision of drug information/ health tips to the community
Supply drugs to wards ic, assist in Unit Dose Dispensing
Perform administrative function as assigned by the Pharmacist
Assist in documentation
Seek assistance or refer situation to the Pharmacists that falls beyond the scope of his/her
practice or personal competencies
Assist in billing and re imbursement in the hospital (NHIA)
Ensuring the cleanliness of the environment
LEGAL LIMITATION OF A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
The limitations of a pharmacy technician are as follows:
Pharmacy technician are not allowed to handle or dispense controlled substances
Pharmacy technicians are only under the supervision of a registered Pharmacist to handle
and dispense prescription medications.
LEGAL DEFINITION OF POISON
A poison is any substances even in a very small amount is dangerous to living organism that if
applied internally or externally, destroy the action of vital function or prevent the continuance of
life.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHARMACY TECHNICIAN AND OTHER HEALTH
WORKERS AND PATIENTS
A pharmacy technician in Nigeria can work in different health institutions. They work in various
private, state, and federal hospitals. Some work in community pharmacies, pharmaceutical
industries, pharmacy agencies, military health facilities, prisons, and primary health care centers.
As the bridge between the pharmacy, the provider and the patient, it's essential for pharmacy
technicians to develop and maintain good relationships with everyone involved in a patient's care
Good communication is perhaps more important in healthcare than in any other field. Quality
care only happens when providers, clinicians and pharmacies all communicate clearly and
effectively with the patient, with other healthcare providers and, most importantly, within their
own teams thus effective communication is vital for Pharmacy TechniciansWhen communication
breaks down, it can cause serious patient safety issues. Pharmacy teams are no exception; as the
bridge between the pharmacist and the patient, it's especially important for pharmacy technicians
to develop good communication skills. Communication plays an important role in a pharmacy
technician's essential duties as it helps in relationship building. Pharmacy technicians play a key
role in shaping the patient's experience, which is why their communication skills need to be top-
notch.
You must support and assist the pharmacist and other health workers to the best of your abilities,
and value and respect the work of the pharmacist and your co-workers.
As a pharmacy technician, you have a duty to serve the public responsibly. This means that you
maintain a patient's confidentiality and never disclose their medical information to anyone. You
don't knowingly distribute medication or medical devices that you believe to be unsafe. You use
your credentials properly and are truthful about your knowledge and experience.
