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History of Pharmacy Practice

People have used plant and mineral remedies to treat illness since antiquity. Discoveries of ancient humans have shown that they used many substances available to them to treat illness and improve health. The ancients were skilled in watching their environment and using commonly found substances such as mud, water, dirt, leaves, and plants for various purposes.

Certainly, much trial and error was involved in discovering which remedies worked best. As helpful discoveries were made by ancient people, this knowledge was passed from one generation to another. This was the beginning of the ancient profession of pharmacy. The practice of pharmacy became more complex as people developed a deeper understanding of how things worked to produce desired results. Pharmacy became increasingly based on scientific concepts, theories, and practices, rather than tradition, trial, and error. 

After completing this resource, learners will be able to:

  • Describe the origins of the practice of pharmacy from the Age of Antiquity
  • Explain the changes in the practice of pharmacy during the Middle Ages
  • Describe changes in the practice of pharmacy during the Renaissance
  • List significant milestones for the practice of pharmacy from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries
  • Describe the role biotechnology and genetic engineering could have on the future of pharmacy practice
Technology in the Pharmacy

If you could go back in time just 40 years or so, you would probably be surprised at how different the pharmacies of that day operated. One of the first things you would notice is how much less automation was used in the typical pharmacy.

Technology has revolutionized the practice of pharmacy. Today, nearly every pharmacy uses technology such as computers and automated systems for its operations and management of pharmaceutical care.

After completing this resource, learners will be able to:

  • List the hardware and software components used in pharmacy computers and summarize their purpose
  • Describe the use of automation and robotics in pharmacies
  • Summarize the uses of personal digital assistants in medicine
  • Describe telepharmacy practice
  • Summarize the impact of patient confidentiality regulations on the use of technology in the pharmacy
  • Identify the names and uses of at least two drugs developed by using recombinant DNA technology
  • Explain the four steps in the genetic-engineering process
Insurance and Third-Party Billing

Pharmacy technicians are integral to the billing process for the pharmacy. To be successful in this charge, they must be familiar with the different types of insurance and the associated industry terms. There are many different types of insurance coverage, and each works differently.

The pharmacy technician must be comfortable in dealing with all types of insurance entities. Additionally, it is imperative that the pharmacy technician understands the insurance billing process, as billing is typically one of their primary duties. Knowing about formularies, drug utilization reviews, collecting insurance data, common errors, and pricing systems are invaluable knowledge.

After completing this resource, learners will be able to:

  • Describe prescription formularies
  • Differentiate Medicare and Medicaid
  • Define terms commonly used in insurance billing
  • Summarize the data collected and transmitted for insurance purposes
  • Describe common insurance billing errors
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Products

Over-the-Counter products are sold in the front of the pharmacy where they can be explored and selected by customers. There are numerous OTC products available to alleviate symptoms of various body systems and treat minor infections. Additionally, durable medical equipment is sold in this area of the pharmacy, including items such as crutches and walkers, glucometers, blood pressure cuffs, and related supplies.

It is important for the pharmacy technician to understand the types of OTC products sold so that they can provide appropriate customer service without giving customers medical advice.

After completing this resource, learners will be able to:

  • Describe the drugs in the Top 200 Drug list in terms of brand and generic name, drug classification, uses, and special details
  • Describe durable medical equipment, diagnostic devices, and supplies commonly seen in the pharmacy
Introduction to Compounding

Healthcare professionals working in a pharmacy setting must adhere to strict policies and procedures specific to that facility or pharmacy and require extraordinary attention to detail in carrying out their work in order to best care for patients. Pharmaceutical compounding is one of the tasks that requires the most care.

Compounding is the practice of preparing medication to meet the unique needs of an individual patient according to the specific order of a prescriber (typically the physician). Compounding is different from traditional pharmacy practice in that it involves a special relationship between the patient, the prescriber and the pharmacist all working together to achieve the best outcomes for the patient. With input from all 3 people, medications are prepared for the treatment needs of an individual patient. Factors such as available strengths of drugs, patient weight and condition, and other medications being taken frequently come into play with compounding and all of these require a comprehensive understanding by the healthcare professional contributing to this effort.

After completing this resource, learners will be able to:

  • Explain the purpose for compounding prescriptions
  • Describe the basic procedures involved in compounding
  • Describe the equipment, supplies, and facilities required for compounding
  • List the major dosage forms used in compounding
  • Explain the considerations involved in flavoring a compounded prescription