Rural areas benefit from pharmacy technicians
Pharmacy technicians are beginning to extend their services to underserved, rural areas where patients have limited access to drug stores and medical resources. Known as telepharmacy, this practice is gaining ground in the Midwest, which contains a number of sparsely populated communities.
"Telepharmacy expands patient access to pharmacy consultations and vital healthcare services in rural and medically underserved areas," said Everett McAllister, chief executive officer of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. "Pharmacy technicians play a significant role in this safe and cost-effective alternative, providing patients with maximum coverage."
Recently, the Kansas State Board of Pharmacy allowed licensed pharmacists in the state to remotely supervise students and technicians using new software, making it easier for people of all ages to get their prescription drugs quickly and easily.
Even in Montana, pharmacy technicians are helping thousands of patients in regions where hospitals are few and far between.
According to Ronald Klein, executive director of the Montana State Board of Pharmacy, pharmacy technicians allow pharmacists to spend more time with their patients as they explain proper drug usage and answer questions. With the help of these technicians, patients are reassured their healthcare needs are being met.
Thinking about becoming a pharmacy technician? If you get your certificate, you could work in urban and rural areas across the country, helping thousands of people receive proper medical attention for maladies ranging from chronic pain to diabetes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs for these professionals is expected to grow by 32 percent by 2020, due in large part to the aging adult population who will need prescription drugs during retirement.
