What You Need To Know
Q: What is the new Pennsylvania Board of Pharmacy requirement for pharmacy technician training?
A: Pharmacy technicians in Pennsylvania must now complete a Board-approved training program that establishes competency across specific pharmacy practice areas, as outlined in §PA 27.702.
Q: When do pharmacy technicians in Pennsylvania need to complete a Board-approved training program?
A: While an exact compliance deadline has not yet been publicly posted, employers of pharmacy technicians should prepare now. Any newly hired or uncertified technicians will be expected to complete approved training to continue practicing.
Q: What qualifies as a "Board-approved" pharmacy technician training program under the new Pennsylvania rules?
A: The following programs qualify:
- An employer-developed program that meets all the regulatory educational requirements.
- A nationally recognized pharmacy technician program, such as those recognized by PTCB or NHA.
- A program accredited by ASHP/ACPE.
Q: Does Pharmacy Technicians University (PTU) meet the Pennsylvania Board of Pharmacy’s requirements?
A: Yes. PTU meets the content standards listed under §PA 27.702, including topics like patient safety, pharmaceutical calculations, hazardous drug handling, and State and Federal laws. Employers can be confident that PTU meets or exceeds all the state and board requirements for technician training.
Q: What specific topics must be covered in a Pennsylvania Board-approved pharmacy technician training program?
A: Training programs must include, at minimum, education and competency testing in 14 critical areas such as prescription knowledge, compounding, third-party billing, confidentiality, medication labeling, error prevention strategies, and laws governing pharmacy practice.
Q: Is there a minimum number of training hours required under the Pennsylvania regulation?
A: No. As of now, the state regulation does not require a specific minimum number of training hours. To ensure full competency, comprehensive content is critical. PTU 101 delivers the depth and structure required.
Q: Can employers create their own pharmacy technician training programs to meet the new requirements?
A: Yes. Employers can create their own Board-approved training programs if they cover all required competency areas. However, building and maintaining a compliant program internally requires significant resources and ongoing oversight. PTU clients can save up to $250,000 annually in FTE and other training expenses.
Q: How does PTU compare to other training programs, like ASHP’s PharmTech Ready, for Pennsylvania compliance?
A: PTU provides full curriculum coverage required by Pennsylvania, offers national recognition, and allows customization if employers need additional state-specific content.
Q: What steps should employers in Pennsylvania take now to prepare for these changes?
A: Employers should:
- Assess current technician training practices.
- Identify any gaps relative to the new required competencies.
- Choose a Board-approved training solution (like PTU) to ensure compliance.
- Start enrolling existing and future hires to avoid interruptions to pharmacy operations.
Q: How can PTU help employers customize training to meet Pennsylvania-specific needs if additional content is needed?
A: If a future Pennsylvania-specific hour requirement emerges, PTU allows employers to supplement the core PTU program with custom modules. PTU’s flexible platform ensures easy integration of additional internal training as needed.
