West Virginia MPJE (Pharmacy Jurisprudence) Practice Exam

In a hospital/institutional or community setting, may a pharmacy technician in West Virginia accept called-in prescriptions from a physician's office?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Only under supervision

4. Only for refills

The correct answer is: No

In West Virginia, pharmacy technicians are not authorized to accept called-in prescriptions from a physician's office. This rule is established to ensure that the prescription process includes a pharmacist's review for safety and accuracy, which is a critical component of medication management. The role of the pharmacy technician primarily involves supportive duties under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Accepting prescriptions directly from healthcare providers falls outside their scope of practice because it requires professional judgment and may involve assessing the appropriateness of the medication for the patient. Only licensed pharmacists are permitted to engage in such direct communication regarding new prescriptions, which helps maintain the integrity of the prescription process and protects patient safety. In the context of pharmacy operations, this regulation underscores the importance of maintaining clear boundaries between the roles of pharmacy technicians and pharmacists, thus ensuring that all prescriptions are properly verified and that patients receive safe and effective medication management.