California Passes Bill to Increase Role of Pharmacy Technicians

A California bill expanding the role of pharmacy technicians and interns was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown on September 15, 2014. The new law is intended to “make more efficient use of pharmacy personnel,” such as enabling hospital pharmacists to spend more time collaborating with other health care providers, reports the Sacramento Business Journal. The bill, SB 1039, authorizes pharmacy technicians to “perform packaging, manipulative, repetitive, or other nondiscretionary tasks” while under the direct supervision of a pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians in acute care hospitals are authorized to seal emergency containers, perform monthly checks of drug supplies, and report irregularities, among other duties. The bill also allows pharmacy interns working under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist to stock, replenish, and inspect emergency medication supply containers and the emergency medical system supplies of a licensed health care facility.