Potential Support Roles for Pharmacy Technicians in Provision of Clinical Pharmacy Services

Objectives: To determine the current and possible future utilisation of pharmacy technicians in clinical pharmacy support roles in Australia. To use the information to develop a set of potential support tasks for pharmacy technicians working under the supervision of clinical pharmacists. Method: The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia Committee of Specialty Practice in Clinical Pharmacy undertook a survey of Australian clinical pharmacy managers to determine current and possible future involvement of pharmacy technicians in components of clinical pharmacy activities described in The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia Standards of Practice for Clinical Pharmacy. The survey was mailed to 275 hospital pharmacy departments in January 2002. A reference group of Australian pharmacists and technicians was then formed to consider the survey results and reach consensus on potential clinical pharmacy support activities suitable for technicians. Results: The survey response rate was 46%. Respondents indicated that there is currently minimal pharmacy technician involvement in clinical pharmacy support roles, but many more roles were considered possible in the future. The reference group developed a list of potential tasks for pharmacy technicians working under the supervision of a pharmacist in clinical pharmacy support roles, including detection of new patient admissions; communication with internal health professionals; assistance in managing storage and retrieval of patients' own medications; data processing of adverse drug reaction reports; accessing, recording and screening specific laboratory and therapeutic drug monitoring data; retrieval of selected drug information; gathering of consumer medicine information leaflets; and preparation of information for transfer to community healthcare providers. Conclusion: Although there is currently only limited involvement of pharmacy technicians in clinical pharmacy services, there is recognition by clinical pharmacy managers of many possible future roles. The reference group reached consensus on a selection of potential clinical pharmacy support tasks for pharmacy technicians working under the supervision of clinical pharmacists. The Committee of Specialty Practice in Clinical Pharmacy aims to incorporate these tasks into a revision of the The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia Standards of Practice for Clinical Pharmacy.