pharmacy tech tech stuff (copy) (copy)

Temperature, humidity, and light

Factors that affect medication stability.

Drug integrity

Maintaining the purity and efficacy of medications.

Package label

Source where storage requirements can be found.

Room temperature range (Celsius)

20°C to 25°C.

Room temperature range (Fahrenheit)

68°F to 77°F.

Refrigerator temperature range (Celsius)

1.7°C to 7.8°C.

Refrigerator temperature range (Fahrenheit)

35°F to 46°F.

Freezer temperature

−15°C (5°F) or lower.

Temperature checks by pharmacy staff

Performed twice daily.

Formula to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit

F = (9/5 × C) + 32.

Formula to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius

C = (F − 32) × 5/9.

First step if medication is stored incorrectly

Move to proper storage immediately.

Second step if medication is stored incorrectly

Assess impact on drug efficacy.

Third step if medication is stored incorrectly

Notify pharmacist.

Fourth step if medication is stored incorrectly

Review storage protocols with staff.

Fifth step if medication is stored incorrectly

Inspect storage areas regularly.

Nitroglycerin storage requirement

Must be kept in original amber bottle.

Why nitroglycerin stays in original bottle

Sensitive to light and humidity.

Medications that require refrigeration

Examples include Latanoprost, insulin, vaginal rings, promethazine suppositories.

Antibiotic powders before reconstitution

Stored at room temperature.

Antibiotic powders after reconstitution

May require refrigeration.

Communication in pharmacy

A soft skill requiring adaptability, respect, and cultural awareness.

External customers in pharmacy

Patients and caregivers.

Internal customers in pharmacy

Staff and healthcare professionals.

Adaptability in communication

Adjusting communication style based on the audience.

How to communicate with healthcare professionals

Use medical terminology.

How to communicate with patients

Use plain language and avoid complex terms.

Why plain language is important

Improves understanding and patient engagement.

Respect in healthcare

Treating all patients with dignity regardless of background.

Examples of patient diversity

Age, race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, medical condition.

How to show respect to patients

Active listening, empathy, involving them in decisions.

Why mutual respect matters in pharmacy

Improves teamwork, work culture, and job satisfaction.

Professional communication tip

Limit medical terminology when speaking to patients.

Cultural sensitivity

Awareness and respect for different cultural beliefs.

Why cultural sensitivity matters

Helps provide culturally competent care.

Demonstrating cultural sensitivity

Avoiding judgment and respecting differences.

Clinical empathy

Understanding and sharing patient feelings while staying professional.

How to show clinical empathy

Active listening, acknowledging emotions, showing compassion.

Why clinical empathy matters

Builds trust and improves patient satisfaction.

Example of empathy in pharmacy

Listening to patient concerns and asking respectful questions.

Who answers clinical questions

Pharmacist.

Best example of cultural awareness in pharmacy

Tailoring communication about birth control respectfully.

What is NOT respectful behavior in pharmacy communication

Ignoring patient concerns or pronouns.

What is unethical behavior in pharmacy communication

Dismissing patient concerns based on personal beliefs.

Controlled Substances Act (CSA)

Federal law regulating controlled substances.

Who enforces CSA

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

DEA Form 222 purpose

Used to order C-II medications.

DEA Form 222 format

Triplicate paper form.

Who signs DEA Form 222

Pharmacist or power of attorney.

Where copies of Form 222 go

Supplier, DEA, pharmacy.

How long Form 222 is valid

60 days.

How long Form 222 must be kept

2 years.

CSOS (Controlled Substance Ordering System)

Electronic system to order C-II medications.

Advantage of CSOS

Faster ordering with electronic signature.

Which schedules require Form 222

C-II only.

Which schedules do NOT require Form 222

C-III to C-V.

DEA Form 41 purpose

Disposal of controlled substances.

When Form 41 is used

Expired, damaged, or unused meds.

How controlled substances can be disposed

Manufacturer, wholesaler, reverse distributor.

DEA Form 106 purpose

Report theft or loss of controlled substances.

Who is responsible for reporting theft

Pharmacist.

Technician role in theft situations

Gather inventory/count information.

Controlled substance inventory requirement

Every 2 years.

How long inventory records must be kept

2 years.

C-II inventory requirement

Exact count required.

C-III to C-V inventory requirement

May estimate.

Perpetual inventory log

Ongoing record of controlled substances.

Who updates perpetual inventory

Technician.

Who verifies perpetual inventory

Pharmacist.

C-II prescription filing requirement

Must be filed separately.

C-III to C-V filing options

With non-controlled (with red 'C') or separate file.

Controlled substance lending between pharmacies

Allowed under specific rules.

Requirement for lending controlled substances

Both pharmacies must be DEA registered.

Form used for lending controlled substances

DEA Form 222.

Max amount that can be lent

5% of annual supply.

Example of 5% rule

1,000 tablets → max 50 tablets can be lent.

How to verify prescriber legitimacy

Check DEA number.

What to do if prescription seems fraudulent

Notify pharmacist immediately.

How can C-II meds be ordered?

Electronically (CSOS) or paper (Form 222).

Can C-II meds be ordered by phone or fax?

No.

Form 222

Used to order C-II.

Form 41

Used for disposal.

Form 106

Used to report theft or loss.

C-II

Requires exact count and separate file.

Inventory

Conducted every 2 years.

Max transfer

5% of annual supply.

Inpatient pharmacy

Pharmacy within a hospital or health system.

Key difference in inpatient setting

DEA number not required on prescription.

Why DEA number isn’t required inpatient

Hospital keeps prescriber DEA numbers on file.

Do inpatient pharmacies follow CSA laws?

Yes, most laws still apply.

Basic prescription components

Drug name, strength, dosage form, route, directions, quantity.

Additional CSA-required components

Patient info, prescriber info, DEA number, date, refills, signature.

Patient information required

Full name and full street address.

Prescriber information required

Name, address, phone number, DEA number.

Exception (inpatient)

DEA number not required on prescription.

Prescription must include date

Date issued by prescriber.

Prescription must include refills

Number of refills authorized.

Prescription must include signature

Prescriber’s signature.

Why controlled substance prescriptions are high risk

High abuse potential.

Examples of fraudulent prescriptions

Stolen prescription pads, fake prescriber names, invalid DEA numbers, altered phone numbers.