E-drug: Training Pharmacist's Assistants/Technicians (cont)
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As a response to the question of Dr. Ojoo: As far as I can see the
competencies of pharmacy assistants show a large diversity over the world.
In my country, pharmacy assistants (we call then assistant pharmacists), may
dispense medication even without a pharmacist being on the premises.
However, the pharmacist is still responsible. Such assistants have had 3 year
additional training after high school. Training concentrates on drug
knowledge. knowledge on compounding and communication skills. One year
of the training is in practice. The must also follow a program of continuing
education.
In most Skandinavian countries you can find pharmacists without an
academic training. Such pharmacists are more or less the equivalent to the
Dutch assistant-pharmacists. In Denmark the assistants are called (if I
remember well) pharmaconomists.
I also have noted that if support personnel in a pharmacy is called a
'technician', there has usually not been much education and as a result their
competencies are low.
Foppe van Mil, PhD, Pharm D.
Pharmacy practice consultant
Margrietlaan 1, NL 9471 CT Zuidlaren,
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 50 4094333. Fax +31 50 4090732.
Email: jwfvmil@wxs.nl
[It is clear we must be careful with terminology and definitions.
For example, in Australia, pharmacy technicians undergo a
comprehensive course of training: see www.shpa.org.au.
Eritrean technicians have different but specific technical training
and responsibilities. It could be interesting to know the range and
responsibilities of different sorts of 'pharmacy assistants' in
different places. BS]
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