Pharmacist Vs Pharmacy Technician Essay

Imagine a healthcare system in which pharmaceutical health professionals are utilized to their full potential. One that provides efficient patient centered care from every aspect of diagnosis and treatment; one that empowers pharmacists as well as technicians to create a dramatic positive impact on the lives of each patient; and one that gives patients the best possible path for improved health. Is this even possible? Is it even be reasonable to assume a system that provides this type of care would attainable through the expansion of the roles within the pharmacy community? The current duties between the pharmacist and pharmacy technician often overlap which hinders their ability to provide an adequate patient centered environment, oftentimes resulting in under-utilization of both roles. Many of the duties that would promote and enable improved health of the patient are often negated because of the limits that have be placed on their role
It would also be necessary to update and incorporate new standards of practice, care plans and training to ensure consistency exists in the pharmacy healthcare discipline. This will require time as well as continued adjustment to reach desired performance. Furthermore, education requirements currently in place for technicians must be addressed. As indicated in an article published in the American Journal of Health Systems Pharmacy, studies indicate technicians perform as well as pharmacists in many of the suggested duties that could be changed, however expanding the responsibilities of technicians will entail development of standardized educational and licensing requirements for technicians as well as quality assurance programs (Myers, 2011). While these aspects may seem daunting, the value added by this shift can no longer be