Who is responsible for patient counselling in the dispensing process?

• A. Completed by the pharmacist, intern, or student; Registered Pharmacy Technicians can provide non-clinical information.
• B. Completed by the pharmacist only
• C. Completed by the intern or student only
• D. Completed by the pharmacy technician only

Answer: (A)

Counselling a patient about how to use a medication is a professional responsibility tied to ensuring safe and effective use. The pharmacist has the ultimate duty to provide this clinical counselling, but under supervision, interns or pharmacy students can participate and reinforce important messages with the patient. Pharmacy technicians support the process in non-clinical ways, such as handling administrative tasks or sharing information that is not related to clinical use of the drug. When questions involve dosing, safety, interactions, or indications, the pharmacist or a supervised trainee should deliver the counselling, while technicians steer clear of clinical advice.