Pharmacy PEBC Practice Exam

What is the responsibility of a pharmacy technician regarding prescriptions?

1. To prescribe medications

2. To assist in preparing and verifying prescriptions

3. To dispense medications without supervision

4. To manage patient billing

The correct answer is: To assist in preparing and verifying prescriptions

The responsibility of a pharmacy technician regarding prescriptions primarily involves assisting in preparing and verifying prescriptions. This includes several key tasks that ensure the safe and accurate distribution of medications. Pharmacy technicians often work closely under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, helping to prepare medication for patients based on the prescriptions provided by healthcare providers. In this role, they may be involved in counting tablets, measuring liquids, labeling medications, and ensuring that the mixtures or compounds are produced according to formulated prescriptions. Additionally, pharmacy technicians play an important part in the verification process. This means that they check the prescribed medications against the provided information to ensure accuracy in dosages and potential drug interactions before passing them along to the pharmacist for the final review. While they have significant responsibilities in the pharmacy, they do not have the authority to prescribe medications, dispense medications independently, or manage patient billing—tasks that fall under the scope of a pharmacist or other healthcare professionals. Thus, assisting in preparing and verifying prescriptions is a critical aspect of a pharmacy technician's role.