Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists provide medicines and other health care products to patients.

Pharmacy technicians receive prescriptions and requests for refills from customers and health professionals. They get the information required to fill the prescription.

They count tablets and measure medication needed to fill the prescription. Sometimes they compound or mix medications. They package and label prescriptions. The prescription is checked by a pharmacist before it is given to a customer.

When customers pick up a prescription, technicians accept payment and make sure insurance information is complete.

Pharmacy technicians may have other tasks, such as:

• Maintain patient profiles that include medication history
• Fill out insurance forms
• Inventory prescription and over-the-counter drugs
• Stock supplies
• Clean and maintain equipment

In hospitals, technicians read patient charts, and prepare and deliver medicine to patients. Technicians may also put together a 24-hour supply of medicine for patients. They package and label each dose separately. They make up intravenous (IV) packs for patients. A pharmacist must check medications before they are delivered.