2020 has been a challenging year for everyone but especially for healthcare workers on the front lines. Due to this, it’s important, now more than ever, that pharmacy technicians practice at the very top of their license. While boards of pharmacy have traditionally limited pharmacy technician practice from performing such tasks like final product verification, administering immunizations to patients, or performing CLIA-waived point of care testing, more and more states are undergoing the process of reviewing, discussing, and in some cases, changing their rules to permit properly trained technicians to perform these and other tasks.
To further seize on this trend, NHA has spearheaded an initiative to bring together representatives from some of the biggest pharmacy organizations in the industry. The initiative, The Coalition for the Advancement of Pharmacy Technician Practice, aims to work together to stay up to date with current state boards of pharmacy that are discussing this very important topic and to engage other state boards of pharmacy to consider broadening pharmacy technician scope of practice.
By bringing together retail pharmacy giants like Albertsons Companies, Walmart, Kroger and Walgreens, along with state pharmacy associations, pharmacy academicians, and organizations such as the Pharmacy Technician Educators Council, the coalition’s collective voice and singular mission is to further expedite the spread of states allowing pharmacy technicians to do more. This support from the industry will be key to continuing to elevate the pharmacy profession across the nation.
In this episode, OnScript brings together representatives from some of the coalition’s partnering organizations to discuss the importance of expanding pharmacy technician roles and the positive impact that has been realized in those states that have already expanded pharmacy technician practice. It is fitting and timely that this discussion happen on Pharmacy Technician’s Day to show pharmacy technicians that the industry recognizes the important role they play in all pharmacies and how critical it is to advocate and be an additional voice for the technician workforce, and also pass on the gratitude that each of these organizations have for the work technicians are doing everyday. You don’t want to miss this episode!
- Dr. Shane Desselle, PhD, FAPhA – Professor, Touro University California College of Pharmacy President, Applied Pharmacy Solutions Editor, Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy
- Kevin Hope – Executive Director Pharmacy Technician Educators Council (PTEC) Director of CE and Compliance, PharmCon (FreeCE.com)
- Rob Geddes – Director, Pharmacy Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Albertsons Companies, Inc.
- Deanna Seiler – Director, Clinical Services and Professional Relations, Walmart
For more information on the Coalition for the Advancement of Pharmacy Technician Practice, or to contact the coalition if you and/or organization want to get involved, please visit www.pharmtechcoalition.com.
