NABP recommends state boards of pharmacy require PTCB certification

WASHINGTON An organization that certifies pharmacy techs has heralded a recommendation by one of its parent organizations that encourages state boards of pharmacy to require certification.

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board announced Wednesday that the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy recommended state boards of pharmacy to require PTCB certification.

The NABP will amend its Model Act to recommend that all boards of pharmacy require certification of pharmacy technicians by 2015, in accordance with the JCPP Future Vision of Pharmacy Practice.

The PTCB said that part of ensuring that pharmacy technicians meet standards of accountability is implementing a standard measure of competency. According to a poll that the organization commissioned in 2007, 91% of American consumers support strong, nationwide regulations to require training and certification of pharmacy technicians.

“The task force’s latest encouragement of this standard reinforces PTCB’s place as the strongest certification program available for pharmacy technicians,” PTCB executive director and CEO Melissa Murer Corrigan said. “Having consistent requirements for pharmacy technician certification in every state is an important first step towards meeting the high standard of safety that patients expect and deserve.”