Which activity is NOT allowed for pharmacy technicians?

Compounding sterile drug orders is a highly regulated activity that requires specialized training and expertise due to the complexities and risks associated with maintaining sterility and ensuring the correct formulation. In many jurisdictions, including Delaware, this task is restricted to licensed pharmacists to ensure patient safety and that proper protocols are followed. Pharmacy technicians, while they play an essential role in supporting pharmacists, are not permitted to perform compounding of sterile preparations independently due to the technical skills and knowledge required.

In contrast, the other activities such as labeling prescriptions, receiving refill authorization requests, and entering prescription data into a data processing system can typically be performed by pharmacy technicians under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. These tasks are considered supportive functions that allow pharmacists to focus on clinical responsibilities while maintaining efficiency in the pharmacy setting.