Who is authorized to conduct transfers of controlled and non-controlled prescriptions?

The authorization for conducting transfers of both controlled and non-controlled prescriptions is specifically designated to pharmacists and interns. This is primarily due to the responsibility associated with the transfer process, which includes ensuring that all legal and regulatory requirements are met, assessing medication appropriateness, and safeguarding patient safety and confidentiality.

Pharmacists hold the necessary licensure and training to handle controlled substances, which are subject to stringent regulations. Interns, who are typically pharmacy students under supervision, are also equipped with knowledge about the pharmacy laws and can perform these tasks, making their involvement permissible during training.

In contrast, limiting this responsibility to other pharmacy staff members, such as technicians or clerks, may introduce risks related to the accuracy and legality of the prescription transfers. Pharmacy technicians are often involved in many operational aspects of a pharmacy, but they typically do not possess the authority required to transfer prescriptions, especially controlled substances, due to the critical nature of these transactions. Similarly, limiting this role solely to the pharmacy owner does not reflect the collaborative practice model in modern pharmacy settings, where numerous healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and interns, are actively engaged in patient care and medication management.