A new report makes a compelling, evidence-based case for expanding the role of pharmacy technicians to enhance pharmacist-provided patient care. The University of Pittsburgh developed the report–“Pharmacy Technician: Role Expansion an Evidenced-Based Position Paper”– and worked with NACDS members and other experts within an advisory group in developing it.

Noting that increased access to healthcare “significantly improves patient care, health outcomes, quality and efficiency,” the report advocates working toward a unified goal of advanced pharmacy technician practice, which includes expanded technician roles and administrative responsibilities in dispensing medications and supporting patient care services. The need for an expanded role for pharmacy technicians is clear, since “community pharmacists spend only 21 percent of their professional time performing patient care services that are not associated with dispensing prescriptions.”