Pharmacy Practice for Technicians – Vocabulary (Chapter 1: Origins, Roles, MTM/CPAs, Licensure)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on the origins of the pharmacy profession, roles of pharmacists and technicians, MTM/CPAs, standards, and licensing/education.

Medication Therapy Management (MTM)

A patient-centered service that optimizes therapeutic outcomes by ensuring safe, effective, and appropriate medication use, typically involving collaborative care with pharmacists.

Collaborative Practice Agreements (CPAs)

Formal agreements allowing pharmacists to initiate, modify, or monitor drug therapy with prescriber collaboration.

ASHP Practice Advancement Initiative (PAI)

ASHP program guiding pharmacists to advance patient care and expand their practice roles.

Pharmacy Practice Model Initiative (PPMI)

ASHP framework for reorganizing pharmacy practice to improve patient outcomes.

Licensure

Legal permission to practice a profession granted by a government after meeting education and exam requirements.

Certification

Credential awarded by a professional organization confirming specific knowledge or competence (not always a license).

Registration

Formal listing with a regulatory body indicating eligibility to practice in a jurisdiction.

CPhT

Certified Pharmacy Technician; credential confirming competency to assist pharmacists.

Pharmacist

Healthcare professional who dispenses medications, provides drug information, and oversees drug therapy.

Pharmacy Technician

Healthcare professional who assists pharmacists with dispensing, compounding, and patient-care tasks.

ASHP

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; professional organization supporting pharmacists and technicians.

APhA

American Pharmacists Association; professional organization promoting standards and advocacy for pharmacists.

US Pharmacopeia (USP)

Official compendium of drug standards for quality, purity, strength, and consistency.

US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP)

Nonprofit organization that develops and publishes USP standards.

USP-NF

United States Pharmacopeia–National Formulary; combined set of drug standards and formulary listings.

Pharmacopoeia

Official reference listing drug substances and standards used for quality control.

pharmakon (origin of 'pharmacy')

Greek root meaning drug or remedy; origin of the term 'pharmacy'.

Galen

Ancient physician deemed the 'Father of Pharmacy' for developing galenical preparations and extracting active ingredients.

Dioscorides

Author of De Materia Medica; foundational text describing herbs, remedies, dosages, and uses.

Hippocrates

Father of Modern Medicine; proposed humor theory and authored the Hippocratic Oath.

Humors

The four bodily fluids (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, black bile) whose balance was historically linked to health.

Ebers Papyrus

Ancient Egyptian papyrus with hundreds of prescriptions; early medical formulary.

Sushruta

Hindu physician who authored the Sushruta Samhita; foundational text of Ayurveda.

Ayurveda

Traditional Indian system of medicine focusing on balance of natural forces and holistic care.

Al-Mansur Hospital (Bimaristan)

Islamic-era hospitals in the Middle East that cared for the sick and trained staff.

Edict of Salerno

Medieval decree establishing rules for medicament production and separating physicians from pharmacists.

Apothecary

Early pharmacist/compounder; term derived from apotheca (store); guild-based profession.

Grocers Guild

Medieval European guild that pharmacists/apothecaries initially belonged to before specialized pharmacies emerged.

Worshipful Society of Apothecaries

London’s first apothecary guild; established standards and training for the profession.

Pharmacognosy

Study of medicines derived from natural sources (plants, animals, minerals).

Formulary

List of medications approved for use by a health system or insurer.

Compounding

Preparation of customized medications by combining or altering ingredients to meet patient needs.