The People Working in your Pharmacy

There are both pharmacy professionals and support staff working in your pharmacy. They each have distinct roles and responsibilities.

Pharmacists

Pharmacists are regulated health professionals with university-level education in pharmacy. They must:

• Complete training in dispensing prescription and non-prescription medications, drug therapy, understanding and managing drug interactions and side effects, and patient education and counseling;
• Understand all laws governing pharmaceuticals, pharmacist/technician roles and pharmacy operations;
• Successfully complete national and provincial exams demonstrating competence in pharmacy practice and applicable pharmacy laws;
• Meet continuing education and competence requirements;
• Uphold the standards of practice set out in the NAPRA Model Standards of Practice for Canadian Pharmacists;
• Follow the PEI College of Pharmacy Code of Ethics.

Pharmacists are responsible for the aspects of pharmacy practice requiring clinical judgement such as assessing the appropriateness of drug therapy, managing drug interactions and side effects and educating patients on medication.
Pharmacy students and provisional pharmacists may also be present in your pharmacy. These individuals are in the process of completing their education and training to become a pharmacist. They must practice under the direct supervision of a pharmacist present in the pharmacy.

Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacy technicians are regulated health professionals who have completed recognized pharmacy technician education. They must:

• Complete training in dispensing prescription and non-prescription medications;
• Understand all laws governing pharmaceuticals, pharmacist/technician roles and pharmacy operations;
• Successfully complete national and provincial exams demonstrating competence in pharmacy practice and applicable pharmacy laws;
• Meet continuing education and competence requirements;
• Uphold the standards of practice set out in the NAPRA Model Standards of Practice for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians;
• Follow the PEI College of Pharmacy Code of Ethics.

Pharmacy technicians are responsible for the technical aspects of pharmacy practice such as compounding and dispensing medications.

Pharmacy technician students and provisional pharmacy technicians may also be present in your pharmacy. These individuals are in the process of completing their education and training to become a pharmacy technician. They must practice under the direct supervision of a pharmacy technician or a pharmacist present in the pharmacy.

Pharmacy Assistants and Other Support Staff

Pharmacy assistants and other support staff in the pharmacy are not regulated by the College. These staff work under the direct supervision of a pharmacy or pharmacy technician.