North Carolina Pharmacy Technician Program

According to the North Carolina General Statutes, a pharmacy technician is defined as a person who may, under the supervision of a pharmacist, perform technical functions to assist the pharmacist in preparing and dispensing prescription medications. However, the statutes do not explicitly list all allowed and prohibited tasks.

Since North Carolina does not explicitly define the scope of practice for pharmacy technicians, the following list is based on general industry standards and national guidelines. 

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What pharmacy technicians cannot do in North Carolina

Generally, pharmacy techs cannot:

• Counsel patients about medications
• Provide medical advice or recommendations
• Perform the final medication verification before dispensing
• Change medication dosages
• Prescribe medications

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What pharmacy technicians can do in North Carolina

Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist who directs their work. Their responsibilities generally include:

• Collecting patient information: Medications can be dangerous if given to the wrong patient. Pharmacy technicians make sure that the name, birthday, and address match the prescription label before giving a medication.
• Measuring medications: Medications come in many different strengths or concentrations. Pharmacy technicians measure medications and count pills to ensure that customers go home with the correct amount.
• Create clear labels: Pharmacy technicians must check labels to ensure that the patient’s name, instructions, and expiration date are all clearly visible.
• Organizing inventory: With so many different pills, liquids, sprays, and drops to keep track of, pharmacy technicians have to work hard to keep everything organized. 
• Handling customer payments: Pharmacy technicians determine billing and charge patients the right amount. They often help patients find coupons or discounts for their medications.
• Processing insurance claims: If the customer's medication is covered by insurance, the pharmacy technician may be responsible for submitting the claim to the insurance company for payment.
• Getting important questions answered: Pharmacy technicians make sure that the patient understands the correct dose, timing, and route of administration for their prescription before they go home. If the patient has questions about safety, side effects, or drug interactions, they can direct them to the pharmacist for more information.
• Keeping customers safe: Most importantly, the pharmacy technician is the last line of defense for the patient before they take their medication home. The pharmacy technician has to stay alert for anything that seems dangerous, like an extremely high dose, allergy risk, or risky combinations of medication.