You’ve probably tried to pick up a prescription during a pharmacy’s “rush hour.” Long lines, phones ringing, and customers coming up to the desk for non-medical information - it’s no wonder that pharmacies need several techs just to fill orders.
Unfortunately, many chain pharmacies don’t have nearly enough techs on hand, and the ones they do hire are underpaid and undertrained.A recent article claimed that Pennsylvania pharmacy techs make about nine dollars an hour, and there are currently no state laws that require testing or even licensing before they can fill a prescription.
For example, pharmacy techs in Pennsylvania have surprisingly few credentialing requirements:
- Despite the fact that they will be handling drugs and answering medication-related questions, techs are not required to take a test or be licensed by the state.
- There is currently not a registry for Pennsylvania pharmacy techs.
- Criminal background checks are not mandatory for pharmacy technicians.
Since there are no state requirements for the training of technicians, many pharmacies will have their own credentialing and training programs. However, this means that a technician’s training will be influenced only by the company policies of the pharmacy that employs them, and the pharmacist who is directly in charge of them.
As experienced pharmacy error lawyers, we know that accidents are a fact of life. However, if your prescription drug injury was caused by a pharmacist’s oversight, it wasn’t an accident - it was negligence, and you shouldn’t have to pay for the consequences.
Our board-certified drug injury attorneys can tell you if you are eligible for compensation for your medical costs and loss of income in your FREE consultation. Call Kennedy Hodges today at (888) 526-7616 to get started.
Want to know what to expect in your prescription drug injury case? Click the link above and we’ll rush you a FREE copy of our consumer report, How to Make Pharmacies Pay for Injuries Caused by Medication Errors.