Pharmacy technicians play a critical role in the distribution of prescription medications and in assisting patients in regaining their health when they become ill. In addition, they are frequently the ones on the front lines, answering questions about prescriptions from patients.
The role of a pharmacy technician has changed dramatically in recent years as the tasks for which they are responsible have changed. Their primary responsibilities were assisting pharmacists and serving as clerks or cashiers until recently.
You might wonder what changes and factors have influenced the evolution of the pharmacy technician profession, and in this article, you will see which are those factors.
Pharmacy Technicians: The Past
Pharmacy technicians have a fascinating history that may surprise you. They have progressed from being insignificant assistants to important players in the pharmaceutical industry.
They were primarily seen as pharmacy assistants in the early days of pharmacy, from the early nineteenth century to the 1970s and early 1980s. A pharmacy technician’s job title states that they are there to assist the pharmacist in their daily duties. But the position has evolved significantly from being an assistant to taking on more important tasks.
Initially, pharmacists did not see the point in paying someone an additional salary for assistance when they believed they could perform the task themselves. In the 1970s, many pharmacists ran their businesses.
There were fewer patients, nothing was done electronically, no insurance to the bill, and fewer medications to keep track of.
How to Become Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) Today
As the role is evolving, the process of becoming a pharmacy technician today has become more stringent. In most US states, a certification is required to practice the profession. Certifications evaluate an individual’s mastery of the subject or in this case the knowledge of an individual as a pharmacy technician.
A rewarding career as a pharmacy technician begins with a CPhT certification. Pharmacy technicians must meet eligibility requirements and pass the PTCB exam to receive CPhT Certification. In addition, to maintain their active status, CPhTs must recertify every two years.
You can find a pharmacy technician practice test to help you prepare for the said test. These tests include challenging questions similar to those found on the actual exam. This helps you minimize your errors, improve your chances of passing, and eventually get that certification to practice.
Why Is the Role Changing?
It’s no surprise that today’s pharmaceutical industry is heavily influenced by technology. Prescriptions can now be legally prescribed via fax or ERx, an electronic prescribing service used by doctors and hospitals.
The revenue generated by pharmacies has increased due to the growth and ease of using technology in the pharmacy.
Increased Pressure on Pharmacies
Pharmaceutical services have seen a significant increase in demand due to an aging population, increased morbidity, new technologies, and higher patient expectations. As a result, prescriptions have increased by almost 7% in the last ten years.
Expectations Changing
Changing customer expectations and new technologies have influenced many pharmacies’ business practices. Also, the over-the-counter medication prescription has been on the rise, with CVS Health and Walgreen as established leaders and a combined 4.5 billion prescriptions filled out.
In addition, many pharmacies now offer both online and home delivery services. Because of the increased number of prescriptions that need to be filled due to these new services, pharmacists are under a lot of stress, necessitating a shift in the pharmacy technician’s role from a simple assistant to a partner in the patient care process.
3-D Printing Implementation
It’s only natural that the pharmaceutical industry will adopt 3-D printing technology as it becomes more widely available. The FDA approved the first three-dimensionally printed drug in 2015.
With more people having access to 3-D printing, the market could expand. Smaller biotech companies could use the technology to manufacture pharmaceuticals more efficiently.
Drugs From Fewer Sources
Medicine has become extremely specialized, and it will only become more specialized as time passes. With this in mind, industry experts predict that such highly specialized drugs will only be available from a few select distributors.
It’s also possible that certain regulations will be relaxed to benefit big pharma under the current administration.
Taking a Bigger Role at Pharmacies
Due to the evolution of the pharmacy technician profession in recent years, pharmacists have played a larger role in the care of patients. For example, they’ve started giving out vaccines like flu shots and other patient care forms.
Pharmacy technicians have evolved over the last 30 years into a single person who can handle multiple teams or departments. They are an inventory manager, bookkeeper, customer service representative, medical insurance billing specialist, and even a training manager.
Technicians are in higher demand than pharmacists these days. Consider this: every pharmacist should have at least two to three technicians.
It can benefit pharmacy technicians because it allows them to expand their knowledge. In addition, taking on more responsibilities may lead to higher salaries.
The Benefits of the Evolution for Pharmacy Technicians
Let’s look at some of the benefits for pharmacy technicians.
Increased Job Satisfaction
Due to increased training and responsibilities, one of the primary outcomes of pharmacy technicians’ evolving role is increased job satisfaction. In addition to increased efficiency and patient care, the research found that workplace training increased job satisfaction and technicians’ confidence in their knowledge and ability to perform a specific skill.
Better Career Opportunities
Increasing training opportunities have led to an expansion of career opportunities for pharmacy technicians, with technicians gaining the skills and experience necessary to advance to administrative, clinical, and dispensing positions.
Enhanced Earning Potential
The average annual pay for a pharmacy technician in the United States is $30,920, by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, with more than half earning more. As their skills improve and the demand for technicians grows, pharmacy technicians’ salaries are likely to rise.
Workplace Safety
Over the next decade, employment opportunities for pharmacy technicians are expected to increase by 4%. That resulted in an additional 47,600 positions.
Conclusion
Many pharmacists understand that technicians are the wind beneath the pharmacist’s wings. With the progress that has already been made, no one can predict where the pharmaceutical industry will be in the next 30 years.
Pharmacy technicians have a promising future, and if you’re thinking about a career in this profession, you’ve made a great choice! This position is in high demand in the healthcare industry and will be for many years.
