Navigating GLP-1 Access: A Pharmacy Technician’s Role

In an interview with Pharmacy Times, Logan Franck, PharmD, BCACP, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Pharmacy in Omaha, discussed how pharmacy technicians play a critical role in addressing access, affordability, and adherence challenges in obesity management, while also helping to improve patient communication and understanding of the disease.

Franck emphasized that pharmacy technicians often serve as experts in medication access within ambulatory care teams, particularly for high-cost therapies such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Because pharmacists may not have the time to track constantly changing coverage policies, technicians play a vital role in staying up to date on manufacturer programs, insurance requirements, and alternative access pathways. This expertise allows them to efficiently navigate prior authorizations, identify financial assistance options, and help patients initiate therapy.

In addition to access, technicians contribute to adherence by maintaining ongoing contact with patients and identifying barriers to continued therapy. Their involvement across care settings—including ambulatory clinics and transitions of care—supports continuity and helps ensure patients remain engaged in treatment.

Franck also addressed common misconceptions about obesity, noting that it is often incorrectly viewed as a condition driven solely by personal responsibility. He stressed that technicians should understand obesity as a complex disease with significant health consequences, which can help foster empathy and improve patient interactions. Recognizing that patients are often motivated to lose weight but face multiple barriers, such as genetics or environment, is key to effective support.

For technicians attending the 2026 American Association of Pharmacy Technicians Annual Convention in June, Franck emphasized the importance of understanding both the clinical and practical aspects of obesity management. This includes knowledge of pharmacologic options, the importance of lifestyle interventions, and strategies to improve medication access.

He concluded that empowering technicians with knowledge and resources enables them to play a meaningful role in improving outcomes and supporting patients throughout their obesity treatment journey.