What is the primary responsibility of a pharmacy technician?

The primary responsibility of a pharmacy technician is to assist pharmacists in dispensing medications. This role involves supporting pharmacists in various tasks, such as preparing and labeling prescriptions, managing inventory, and ensuring that the medication dispensing process is efficient and accurate. Pharmacy technicians are an essential part of the pharmacy team, allowing pharmacists to focus more on patient care and clinical tasks.

While dispensing medications is a critical function, pharmacy technicians do this under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist and are not authorized to dispense medications independently. Additionally, managing and owning the pharmacy falls under the responsibilities of a pharmacist or pharmacy owner, not a pharmacy technician. Conducting patient counseling is also a duty that is primarily performed by licensed pharmacists, who have the training and expertise to provide comprehensive medication information and support to patients. Therefore, assisting pharmacists aligns with the technician's scope of practice and responsibilities in a pharmacy setting.