News Alerts

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) has announced more Continuing Education Requirement changes for 2015.  “First, any continuing education (CE) hours earned by a CPhT will need to be pharmacy technician-specific to qualify toward recertification. Second, PTCB will reduce the number of allowable ‘in-service’ CE hours from 10 to 5”.  Visit PTCB.org to learn more.

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) had just named Hannah Peabody the PTCB certified pharmacy tech of the year. “Hannah Peabody has distinguished herself by making a difference in the lives of patients undergoing treatments for a range of complex cancers and other disorders. These treatments are life-changing, and Ms. Peabody has made them accessible [...]

In an effort to combat the growing prescription drug abuse epidemic, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) recently announced that they would now allow hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, and other authorized centers to accept prescription drugs for drop-off.  In addition, long-term care facilities will be able to accept unused medication from residents, and individuals will also be [...]

In their ongoing effort to improve CPhT qualifications, the PTCB has announced that they will now require one hour of continuing education in patient safety as part of the existing 20 hours needed.  ”By continually learning more about how to prevent harm, CPhTs can have a positive impact on advancing the patient safety culture within [...]

Advocacy group Change to Win has filed a complaint with Florida’s Board of Pharmacy, alleging that Walgreen’s Pharmacy is violating the state’s pharmacist-to-technician ratio. As Florida’s legislature is considering increasing the allowed ratio, will the complaint have any effect? Will other states follow suit? Share your opinions! Email us at admin@pharmacytechschools.com.

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board has made available a new practice test that takes into account the November 1st changes that were made.  One of the enhancements to the exam is that “the Practice Test has the same look, feel, and functionality as the actual PTCE” (PTCB.org). The cost for the exam is $29.00, and [...]

The Pharmacy Technician Training Board (PTCB) has extended the deadline to submit applications for recertification.  Applicants now have until Midnight (Eastern Standard Time) on December 3rd, 2013 to get their applications submitted. Get more information on the PTCB’s website at ptcb.org.

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)  announced in an October 2 news release that as of June 30, 2013, they have certified over half a million pharmacy technicians. “Passing the half-million mark is an exciting milestone in the growth of PTCB’s nationwide certification program,” said PTCB Executive Director and CEO Everett B. McAllister, MPA, RPh. [...]

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) have announced their joint effort to accredit pharmacy technician programs, beginning in 2014. The new commission, called the Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission (PTAC), “will be tasked with assuring and advancing the quality of pharmacy technician education and training programs” (press [...]

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is now accepting nominations for Certified Pharmacy Technician of the Year.  In order to be nominated, the technician must have active certifications, and must have been certified for at least two years. Submission of a candidate can be done online, and you will be asked a series of questions [...]

Since 1982, the Elks Club has fostered a community-based drug abuse prevention program by partnering with local, community based organizations as well as those on a national level, such as the DEA.  Their focus is “to teach all children and parents about the dangers of illegal drug use and prevent the abuse of legalized and [...]

In a recent article in the Pharmacy Times, Editor in Chief Fred Eckel, RPh, MS, discusses the sometimes controversial expansion of the role of pharmacy technicians. Mr. Eckel suggests that “the pharmacy technician’s role should be expanded to allow pharmacists to practice at the top of their license”, including a “specific suggestion of what activity [...]

On this day in history, in 1973, the Drug Enforcement Administration was established by President Richard Nixon to combat the growing illegal drug trade. Quick Facts The DEA has 226 offices in the United States and 85 offices in 66 countries around the world. Almost 10,000 men and women work for the DEA. From 2005 [...]

In an effort to help consumers make safe and informed decisions, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) has proposed that all trusted online pharmacies have .pharmacy as part of their domain name.  The purpose of the designation is to allow only legitimate online pharmacies to use the domain name, separating them from the [...]