The Value of a Pharmacy Technician

On the third Tuesday of every October, we take a day to recognize pharmacy technicians, to celebrate the often-called “unsung heroes” of health care. But one day simply is not enough. At the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), we understand the immense value that pharmacy technicians bring to the health care system and the lives of patients.

Image credit: bulgn | stock.adobe.com

Because this important work is often behind the scenes, rather than words from us, we want to amplify the voices of a few of the many pharmacy technicians who are making a difference every day in their own lives and their communities:

“Both my father and grandfather were pharmacists, so it runs in the family. It makes me happy when I can advocate for my customers, whether it’s resolving a third-party billing issue or finding them better prices to make their medication more affordable.” - Nicolle Forrest, CPhT, Publix, Boca Raton, FL.

“I love where I work. We compound all the medicines for numerous eye surgery procedures and for patients with eyesight loss due to macular degeneration. It is a very rewarding pharmacy technician role, and nice to know we are making a difference for so many people in their quality of life.” - Sandy Edmisten, CPhT-Adv, CSPT, Cincinnati Eye Institute, Cincinnati, OH.

“I grew up seeing pharmaceuticals misused and abused. Instead of following that same pathway, it inspired me to break the cycle. One of the high schools I attended had a job fair presentation for pharmacy technicians. Instantly I knew this was exactly what I wanted to do!” - Autumn Jackson, CPhT-Adv, Wise Health System, Decatur, TX.

“I love helping patients and doing what I can to get them their medications in an efficient and timely manner. I now also help with prior authorizations and financial assistance so patients can get their medications at little to no cost. Getting that approval, and informing patients of that news, makes my job even more worthwhile.” - Na’Velle Lee, CPhT-Adv, Columbia, MD.

“In my setting, one of the first telepharmacies in North Dakota, the pharmacist is in a different location in another town on a camera used for prescription verification, product verification, and consulting. Pretty much all other duties are handled by the technician, so I have a huge range of responsibilities to keep the pharmacy fully functional.” - Eric Davis, CPhT-Adv, White Drug, Rolette, ND.

“In regulatory compliance, I’m constantly keeping up with changes in different states to see if there are adjustments that need to be made. Then I work on rolling it out to our colleagues and make sure we are crossing all our T’s and dotting all our I’s.” - Michael Reining, CPhT, Trinity Health Pharmacy Services, Fort Wayne, IN.

“Recently, a friend asked if I would take a look at her father’s medication list. He had recently been diagnosed with dementia but was acting very much outside of his new normal behavior. I noticed he was taking two statins. The family immediately contacted his physician, and one was discontinued. Within a few days, he was less confused and his behavior had improved.” - Jacqueline Hayes, CPhT-Adv, Rise N Shine Pharmacy, Pembroke Pines, FL.

Although Pharmacy Technician Day is a special occasion to honor these dedicated professionals, it is crucial to acknowledge their contributions year-round. The value of a pharmacy technician is not limited to a single day, as they tirelessly support the health care system 365 days a year. We must celebrate and appreciate their dedication, professionalism, and the vital role they play in enhancing patient care and safety.

To all pharmacy technicians, your dedication to patient care does not go unnoticed, and we salute your indispensable role in advancing patient care.