'Is it safe to take these together?' A technician's scope

Introduction

Pharmacy technicians know a great deal about medicines, and patients ask them questions all day. Most can be answered. Some cannot, and the skill is knowing the difference in the moment. This scenario is about a question that sounded simple and was not.

What happened?

A pharmacy technician handed a patient a new prescription for a blood pressure medicine. The patient asked whether it was safe to take with 'the ones I already take', which included a heart medicine and an over the counter anti-inflammatory he bought each month for his knee.

The technician knew the interaction between anti-inflammatories and some blood pressure medicines from her training. She was tempted to answer. Instead she said that it was a good question, that the pharmacist would want to check it against his full record, and asked him to wait two minutes. The pharmacist reviewed the record, found the anti-inflammatory was not on it, advised the patient to stop using it and suggested an alternative, and made a note to contact the prescriber.

What was the concern?

Nothing went wrong, which is the point. The concern is what could have happened if the technician had answered from memory. She would have been giving clinical advice without the full picture, outside her role, and the missing anti-inflammatory might never have been spotted.

What was the outcome?

The pharmacist thanked the technician and, at the next team meeting, the pharmacy agreed a simple guide to which questions technicians and assistants answer directly and which go to the pharmacist. Questions about whether medicines can be taken together, about symptoms and about changing doses always go to the pharmacist.

What can we learn?

1. Knowing something is not the same as being the right person to advise on it. Scope is about role and the full picture, not only knowledge.
2. Questions about interactions, symptoms, doses and whether to stop or start a medicine go to the pharmacist.
3. Handing over well is a skill. 'That is a good question and the pharmacist will want to check your full record' keeps the patient's trust and gets them the right answer.
4. Your knowledge still matters. It told the technician the question was important and not to brush it off.
5. Agree the boundaries as a team so nobody has to decide alone under pressure.

Relevant pharmacy practice

The GPhC standards for pharmacy professionals require professionals to recognise the limits of their competence and to refer when appropriate. The GPhC has also published a scope of practice statement describing how professionals should judge what falls within their scope. Pharmacy technicians can and do give a great deal of medicines information, but advice that depends on a clinical judgement about an individual patient belongs with the pharmacist.

PPets learning connection

Scope of practice, referral and communication are central to the Level 3 Diploma. This scenario can support a professional discussion about the limits of your role.

Record this as CPD

Registered pharmacy technicians can use this article towards GPhC revalidation, as an unplanned CPD entry or as the starting point for a reflective account. Pharmacy assistants and trainees can use it as evidence of reflective practice. Note down three things:

1. What you learned from this article
2. How you have applied it, or will apply it, in your own role
3. The benefit to the people who use your pharmacy's services

Sources and further reading

• GPhC standards and guidance for pharmacy professionals
• GPhC scope of practice statement

Related from PPets

• Level 3 Diploma for pharmacy technicians
• Medicines counselling

This article is for general educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, professional regulatory advice or clinical advice about an individual patient. Always follow your pharmacy's SOPs and check current official guidance and product information.

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