Standard operating procedures
Standard operating procedures
SOPs should show how the prescribing service integrates with dispensing and other services without compromising safety. They should define roles for referrals, consent, chaperones, equipment, records, supply, follow-up, escalation and service closure.
Pharmacy technicians should be trained against the SOPs relevant to their duties and have their competence documented.
Reflective exercise
Map a typical patient journey through a prescribing service in your pharmacy. At each stage, record what a pharmacy technician could safely do, what training or access would be required, what must remain with the pharmacist prescriber, and how you would respond to a delayed appointment, missing record, stock problem or clinical red flag.