PhT53Wk1Lecture

Overview of the Top 200 Drug List

• List based on frequency of prescription sales in a recent year.

• Utilized by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam® (PTCE) for exam questions.

• Memorization of all 200 drugs is the goal, with the course focusing on the top 50 drugs.

• Syllabus outlines drugs to be covered in assessments.

Definitions

Drug Types

• Brand Name Drugs:

  • Created and marketed under a trademark by a pharma company.

  • Protected by a patent, indicated by TM or ® symbol.

• Generic Drugs:

  • Contains the same active ingredients, strength, and dosage as brand names.

  • May vary in inactive ingredients or fillers.

  • Must maintain the same quality, stability, and safety.

Class/Use Acronyms

• Schedule Designations:

  • C-II, C-III, C-IV, C-V indicating potential for abuse (lower number indicates higher abuse potential).

• Auxiliary Labels:

  • Precautionary information on dispensed drug bottles.

Common Acronyms for Conditions

• CVD – Cardiovascular Disease

• BPH – Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

• HBP – High Blood Pressure

• COPD – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

• HTN – Hypertension

• GERD – Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Methods of Memorization

• Techniques:

  • Flash Cards

  • Puzzle Pieces

  • Quizlet / Anki

  • Mnemonic Tricks

  • Creative Stories

  • Rote repetition techniques.

Ambulatory Pharmacy Setting

• Definition:

  • Ambulatory means able to walk; not confined to bed.

• Synonyms:

  • Community

  • Outpatient

  • Retail

Pharmacy as a Business

• Revenue Statistics (2023):

  • Total prescription revenue exceeded $462 billion across retail, mail order, and specialty pharmacies.

  • Breakdown of revenue contributions:

    • CVS Health Corporation - $159.4B (25.7%)

    • Walgreens Boots Alliance - $91.1B (14.7%)

    • Cigna/Express Scripts - $65.7B (10.6%)

    • Walmart Stores, Inc - $30.6B (4.9%)

  • Note that two-thirds of pharmacy technicians are employed where?

Types of Community Pharmacies

• Categories:

  • Independent

  • Chain

  • Mass Merchandiser

  • Food Stores

  • Compounding Pharmacies

    • Compounds meet specific patient needs (e.g., sensitivities to ingredients).

Services Offered at Community Pharmacies

• Provide prescription services.

• Sell BTC products (e.g., Claritin-D, Allegra-D, Pseudoephedrine).

• Sell OTC products.

• Close patient interaction and customer service is essential.

New Models and Trends

• Retail Chains Expanding:

  • Adding patient treatment sections (e.g., CVS MinuteClinic®).

  • In-person and virtual care provided by Nurse Practitioners.

  • Services include vaccinations, illness treatment, tests, screenings, and physicals.

  • CA AB401 promotes telepharmacy in underserved communities.

Typical Community Pharmacy Layout

• Security & Access:

  • Pharmacy interior must be secured; access is restricted.

  • Exterior should be labeled with signage for drop-off and pick-up areas, and consultation space.

Products Located Near Pharmacy Exterior

• Over-the-Counter Products:

  • Blood glucose meters, test strips, lancets, sharps containers.

  • Specialty products under weekly promotions, generating queries at pharmacy.

Pharmacy Workflow

• Different stations for tasks:

  • Script Data Entry, Filling Area, Compounding, Drive-thru or Mobile Pickup, Verification, Point of Sale (POS).

  • Multi-tasking is crucial to maintain efficient operation.

Roles of Pharmacy Personnel

• Pharmacy Manager:

  • Oversees daily operations, manages pharmacists and technicians, handles audits.

• Pharmacist:

  • Verifies prescriptions, consults with patients, manages technicians.

• Pharmacy Technician:

  • Processes prescriptions, assists with inventory control, customer service, cleaning duties.

Key Information on a Drug Stock Bottle

• Required Details:

  • National Drug Code Number (NDC), Formulation, Route of Administration, Storage Conditions, Brand/Generic Name, Strength, Quantity, Lot Number, Expiration Date, Rx only marking, Manufacturer identification.

Drug Storage Conditions

• Temperature Guidelines:

  • Ultra Low Freezer: -60°C to -90°C

  • Freezer: -25°C to -10°C

  • Refrigerator: 2°C to 8°C

  • Room Temperature: 15°C to 30°C

  • Controlled Room Temperature: 20°C to 25°C

  • Extreme Heat: Over 40°C

Highlighted Routes of Administration

• Common Routes:

  • Oral, Topical, Intranasal, Intravenous, Inhalation, Vaginal, Rectal, Ophthalmic, Otic.

Selected Formulations (Forms)

• Examples:

  • Tablets, Capsules, Solutions, Powders, Suspensions, Topicals (creams, ointments), Suppositories, Transdermal.

Lab #1: The Stock Bottle Label

• Instructions for tasks to be completed. After group exercises, individual exercises to follow.