Pharmaceutical Industry Requires the Ability to Adapt

The pharmaceutical industry is one with high standards and attention to detail, which is why those looking to become a pharmacy technician must receive training from a respected school and program, like the one at Ayers Career College.

Those working in the pharmaceutical industry must adapt to changing safety measures and policies, including recent pushes by the Federal Drug Administration to make the distinction between prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs more flexible through “conditions of safe use” including interventions by a pharmacist or innovative technologies. “The [American Pharmacists Association] supports the concept and believes that this is an exciting opportunity for pharmacists to help improve public health, much like what pharmacists have done with immunizations,” the APA announced in a press release about the FDA’s decision.

The APA also issued the following consideration by the FDA:

• Including under certain conditions of safe use:

• Requiring pharmacist intervention to ensure appropriate nonprescription use.

• Use of innovative technologies approved or cleared by the FDA for use in the pharmacy or other setting.

• For some drug products that require an initial prescription, making the product available as a nonprescription product with a condition of safe use for the purpose of product refills.

• Making the same drug product simultaneously available as both a prescription and nonprescription product with conditions of safe use.

• The American Pharmacists Association also said that the potential new drug paradigm is important to pharmacists, as it would serve as an opportunity to:

• Communicate and collaborate with the medical community to improve team-based care;

• Reconnect and refer patients back into the health care system who may have undertreated chronic conditions or may need expanded access to life-saving rescue medications; and

• Leverage patients’ access to pharmacists to safely increase the availability of certain medications as pursued by manufacturers.

“Through both oral testimony and written comments on the issue, [American Pharmacists Association] has stated its support for legislative and/or regulatory action that would provide FDA with general, broad authority to plan for the future, understanding that many logistics, payment, challenges, and other uncertainties can be addressed at a later time,” the press release said. “American Pharmacists Association has both commented to and testified before the agency, stating APhA’s support for FDA’s concept of dispensing medications with “conditions of safe use” and the role that pharmacists can play to improve public health. In both communications, APhA has stated its view that details and uncertainties about this potential new paradigm can be worked out in the future and are not significant enough to stop this initiative from moving forward.”

The pharmaceutical industry is constantly changing and those that are employed in these fields need to be prepared to adapt to new regulations and procedures.

If you are interested in Ayers Career College’s Pharmacy Technician program, contact us today or call 1-800-317-0131.