Key Notes: Pharmacy Law

• If the state and federal laws or regulations differ, both laws and regulations must be followed, including the more stringent requirements, whether federal or state. 

• The qualifications for pharmacy technician registration or licensure generally include minimum age, high school graduation or the equivalent, completion of training program, including pharmacy employer training programs, and an  examination.

• State pharmacy laws do not permit pharmacy  technicians to perform pharmacy tasks and responsibilities that are limited to pharmacists and require the professional judgement, education, and training of a pharmacist.

• Patient counseling must be provided by the pharmacists. Technicians are not authorized to counsel patients on their medications.

• Prescription monitoring programs require pharmacies to submit information on controlled-substance prescriptions to help states identify potential diversions and abuse.

• Pharmacists use the "Orange Book" to find the FDA's determination that a particular manufacturer's generic drug is therapeutically equivalent to the brand name.