Most pharmacies employ both regulated and non-regulated staff, each with distinct roles and responsibilities. Individuals working in the pharmacy can be identified by their name tags.
Pharmacists
Pharmacists are regulated health professionals who have completed university-level education in how medications can be used to treat or prevent health conditions and how they act within the body and interact with each other
Pharmacists are responsible for the aspects of pharmacy practice requiring clinical judgment such as assessing the appropriateness of medications, managing medication interactions and side effects, and educating patients on medications and their use.
Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacy Technicians are regulated health professionals who have completed recognized pharmacy technician education in the technical aspects of dispensing medications.
Pharmacy Technicians may collect information from you about your health and medication history, prepare medications, check the accuracy of prepared medications, and teach you how to use drug delivery devices (e.g. inhaler aids) or health monitors (e.g. blood sugar or blood pressure monitors).
Regulated Pharmacy Staff
The College of Pharmacy of Newfoundland and Labrador (CPNL) regulates pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
Individuals in the process of completing the education and training required to be a pharmacist (pharmacy students and pharmacy interns) or pharmacy technician (pharmacy technician students and pharmacy technician interns). Students and interns must practice under the supervision of a pharmacist or a pharmacy technician.
Non-Regulated Pharmacy Staff
Non-regulated staff may include those working outside the dispensary, such as cashiers or stock people, or those who work inside the dispensary, such as pharmacy assistants, who support the work of pharmacists or pharmacy technicians, under the supervision of a pharmacist.
Though not regulated by CPNL, these staff members still perform important duties within the pharmacy and are often involved in the clerical aspects of dispensing and overall running of the pharmacy.