The ABC’s of Technician Product Verification

When I started in the pharmacy field over 15 years ago, technician product verification (tech-check-tech) was not allowed in my home state of Florida. Because technician product verification was nonexistent in my state, I had very limited knowledge as to what that process might look like. I could not grasp the concept of pharmacy technicians reviewing the work of other technicians, nor what that process involved.

Since then, I have practiced as a pharmacy technician in several states. In that time, I have learned firsthand what technician product verification entails for pharmacy technicians in order to maintain the integrity of the product that is being verified.

Technician product verification has many advantages for the pharmacy, including improved workflow, more time for the pharmacist to provide clinical duties, and great cost-effectiveness. Tech-check-tech may be taking place in hospital settings, automated system settings, or central fill pharmacies. The process may look different depending on the pharmacy and state regulations. Regardless of the details, however, it is important to remember the ABCs of technician product verification.

Accuracy

This might be a given, but when a pharmacy technician takes part in the product verification process, accuracy is essential. A pharmacy technician needs to be accurate in checking for the correct medication, strength, quantity, labeling, and packaging of that product, and anything additional that might come along to make that final product safe and accurate.

When checking the product, there are several things a pharmacy technician can do to ensure it is accurately verified. This includes implementing a standardized checking process, having a complete understanding of the product being verified, and making sure everything is documented correctly. These are just a few examples of detailed information that the technician must check when verifying the final product.

Be Prepared

When pharmacy technicians participate in product verification, not only do they need to maintain accuracy, but they also need to be prepared in advance. The pharmacy technicians need to be prepared for all things concerning the dispensing and checking of that medication, which allows for more efficient verification.

Because the checking pharmacy technician has significant responsibility in the final dispensing of that product, they need to be aware of things such as what that product looks like (ie, color, quantity, or weight), how the product is presented (ie, route of administration), labeling, and correct documentation.

Consistency

Consistency is essential when pharmacy technicians are checking the work of others. Consistency in training, policy and procedures, and documentation is crucial in the product verification process. When the verifying pharmacy technician is consistent in their work, it allows them to have confidence that the final product is being dispensed correctly and safely, and maintains the integrity of the product being dispensed.

As pharmacy technician roles are expanding, it is important to remember that pharmacy technicians play a vital role in the health care industry. When pharmacy technicians are in facilities that allow them to practice tech-check-tech, it is essential to remember the ABCs: accuracy, be prepared, and consistency.

About the Author

Dimitrios Papadopoulos, RPhT, CPhT, In-D, is a pharmacy technician with nearly 20 years in the pharmacy field. He is licensed in Florida and Nevada and is currently practicing as a licensed pharmacy technician in Nevada.