Which activities can a pharmacy technician perform?

Pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in supporting pharmacists by performing various tasks that help ensure the smooth operation of a pharmacy. They are typically responsible for assisting in various dispensing activities, including preparing medications, managing inventory, and interacting with patients regarding their prescriptions.

Completing the final check on a prescription is a task that is typically reserved for licensed pharmacists due to the level of clinical judgment and professional responsibility it entails. However, pharmacy technicians can perform many supportive functions prior to the final check, such as counting and dispensing medications and ensuring accuracy in the preparation process. They must work under the supervision of a pharmacist who ultimately verifies the prescription's accuracy and appropriateness.

The other options involve responsibilities that require the professional judgment and expertise of a licensed pharmacist. Providing medical advice and consulting with prescribers directly both rely on clinical knowledge and decision-making capabilities that technicians do not possess. Documenting a patient’s medical history also requires a level of clinical assessment and interpretation that falls outside the working parameters of a pharmacy technician. Thus, the activities a pharmacy technician can perform align with those that support but do not replace the responsibilities of a pharmacist in the medication dispensing process.