Ohio Pharmacy Technician Program

Pharmacy technicians everywhere perform essential tasks that support pharmacists and improve patient care. However, the scope of practice varies by state. So, there are specific things that pharmacy technicians can and cannot do in Ohio. 

The Ohio Board of Pharmacy's Quick Reference Guide provides a detailed breakdown of pharmacy technician duties in the state.

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What pharmacy technicians cannot do in Ohio

The Ohio Administrative Code does not explicitly list prohibited tasks. However, by looking at the scope of allowed activities, we can see that certain responsibilities are reserved exclusively for pharmacists and doctors.​

In Ohio, pharmacy technicians cannot:

• Counsel patients on medications
• Provide clinical advice or medication recommendations
• Perform final medication verification before dispensing
• Modify medication dosages
• Prescribe medications

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Common responsibilities of pharmacy technicians in Ohio

Pharmacy technicians help people get the medication they need. Their responsibilities commonly 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 make sure that their customers go home with the correct amount.
• Create clear labels: Pharmacy technicians must check labels to make sure 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 figure out 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.