Could pharmacy technicians play a role in supporting the appropriate and safe use of traditional and complementary medicines?

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  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Elsevier Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101231974 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1934-8150 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 15517411 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Res Social Adm Pharm Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Original Publication: New York, NY : Elsevier
    • Subject Terms:
      Pharmacy Technicians* ; Complementary Therapies* ; Professional Role* ; Pharmacists*/organization & administration ; Community Pharmacy Services*/organization & administration; Humans ; Medicine, Traditional
    • Abstract:
      Across the world traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) product use is prevalent with some countries reporting greater than 50% of the population using these products. T&CM products are primarily self-selected through retail outlets including pharmacies. Pharmacists across the world generally agree they should play a role in ensuring the appropriate and safe use of T&CM products but report being time and resource poor to do so. In this commentary, it is proposed that pharmacy technicians as members of the pharmacy workforce, who with adequate education, and supportive technologies could support pharmacists in providing guidance to consumers and patients about the appropriate and safe use of T&CM products. Pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in the pharmacy workforce, serving as integral members of healthcare teams fulfilling a wide array of tasks essential for the efficient functioning of pharmacies and ensuring the safe dispensation of medications. They have been described by pharmacists as the "the face of the pharmacy" in the community setting and relied on not only for mitigating and triaging problems, but also be primarily responsible for developing rapport, eliciting trust and even loyalty from pharmacy patrons. As such, there is a momentous opportunity for pharmacy technicians to play a role in providing T&CM advice and triaging the need for pharmacists' intervention where harm, or risk of is identified.
      (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20240321 Date Completed: 20240520 Latest Revision: 20241004
    • Publication Date:
      20241004
    • Accession Number:
      10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.02.019
    • Accession Number:
      38514292