Frequently Asked Questions

What Does A Pharmacy Technician Do?

A pharmacy technician accomplishes many pharmacy-related tasks, including:

• Dispense Medication, Whether It's Prescription Or Over The Counter (OTC)
• Compound Medicines For Prescriptions
• Prepare Medicine For Hospitals & Other Pharmaceutical Applications
• Provide Information To Patients & Healthcare Professionals

You can read more about pharmacy technician's scope of work on our page here.

What Is The Difference Between A Pharmacy Technician & A Pharmacist?

While pharmacists and pharmacy technicians both work in pharmacy spaces, their tasks are different. Pharmacists are taking on expanded roles and are increasingly being recognized as the medication management experts of the health care team. Pharmacists must complete a pharmacy degree.

Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists in many different ways, including compounding medicines. View our resource on the pharmacy technician's scope of practice here. Pharmacy technicians must undergo training, including receiving a diploma in pharmacy technician studies.

What's The Difference Between A Pharmacy Technician & A Pharmacy Assistant?

Essentially the difference between a pharmacy technician and a pharmacy assistant is that a pharmacy technician has a larger scope of practice and responsibility. A pharmacy assistant handles many clerical, customer service and technical tasks. Their tasks include talking to customers and preparing and/or compounding drugs. Pharmacy technicians are different because they can independently take verbal prescription orders and confirm and prepare and perform the final check of prescriptions and refills.

Can A Pharmacy Technician Prescribe Drugs To Me?

No, a pharmacy technician cannot prescribe medications.

How Do I Become A Pharmacy Technician?

There are a couple of steps to becoming a pharmacy technician, and largely it depends on which province you want to practice in. We have a resource put together with each province's pharmacy technician programs and next steps after receiving your diploma. See the scope of practice for pharmacy technicians here.