APhA Policy Manual

1. APhA strongly believes that all pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians should be safe in their work and learning environments and be free from firearm-related violence.
2. APhA strongly recommends that technician training programs, schools and colleges of pharmacy, postgraduate training programs, and employers should develop programs to increase readiness in the event of an active shooter.
3. APhA strongly believes pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians should be trained to recognize and refer patients at high risk of violence to themselves or others.
4. APhA encourages pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians who are survivors of firearm-related violence to seek the help of counselors and other trained mental health professionals.

1. APhA encourages state boards of pharmacy to develop laws, regulations, and policies allowing expanded pharmacy technician roles that allow both technicians and pharmacists to practice at the top of their training and license or certification.
2. APhA supports state board of pharmacy regulations that standardize and set minimum didactic and experiential standards for technicians to allow for functioning in expanded roles.

1. APhA supports the following minimum requirements for all new pharmacy technicians: (a) Successful completion of an accredited or state-approved education and training program. (b) Certification by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
2. APhA supports state board of pharmacy laws, regulations, and policies that require pharmacy technicians to meet minimum standards of education, training, certification, and recertification. APhA encourages state boards of pharmacy to develop a phase-in process for current pharmacy technicians. APhA also encourages boards of pharmacy to delineate between pharmacy technicians and student pharmacists for the purposes of education, training, certification, and recertification.
3. APhA recognizes the important contribution and role of pharmacy technicians in assisting pharmacists and student pharmacists with the delivery of patient care.
4. APhA supports the development of resources and programs that promote the recruitment and retention of qualified pharmacy technicians.
5. APhA supports the development of continuing pharmacy education programs that enhance and support the continued professional development of pharmacy technicians.
6. APhA encourages the development of compensation models for pharmacy technicians that promote sustainable career opportunities.

1. APhA supports protecting pharmacist, student pharmacist, and pharmacy technician personal information (e.g. home address, telephone, and personal email address).
2. APhA opposes legal, regulatory, and policy requirements that mandate the publication of pharmacist, student pharmacist and pharmacy technician personal information (e.g., home address, telephone, and personal email address).
3. APhA encourages state boards of pharmacy to remove from their websites personal addresses, phone numbers, email, and other non-business contact information of pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians.

1. APhA supports the development of standardized training in immunization administration and continuing education opportunities for immunizing pharmacy technicians.
2. APhA supports immunizing pharmacist’s individual discretion in delegating immunization administration to pharmacy technicians with the requisite education, training, and experience.
3. APhA supports voluntary participation by pharmacy technicians in the training and provision of immunization administration.
4. APhA supports the role of immunizing pharmacists as the healthcare professional providing clinical patient assessment, decision making, and patient counseling when delegating immunization administration to a pharmacy technician.

1. APhA recognizes that audits of health care practices, when used appropriately, may improve patient care and deter fraud, waste, and abuse.
2. APhA advocates for the use of standardized and efficient audit procedures with transparent criteria clearly communicated by the payor and readily accessible to providers in advance.
3. APhA advocates that audit processes should result in minimal disruption to practice workflow, minimal financial burden, and no impact on patient care.
4. APhA urges timely notification and scheduling of claims audits to minimize disruption of patient care delivery.
5. APhA supports the inclusion of education as a component of the audit process to improve documentation of services, meet payor requirements, and enhance the quality-of-care delivery.
6. APhA opposes incentive-based auditor compensation and the use of statistical methodologies, such as sample extrapolation, for determining the recoupment of funds from health care providers or health care organizations.
7. APhA advocates that audit reports include complete information listing audit discrepancies and appropriate guidelines for documenting and appealing these findings.
8. APhA advocates that pharmacy audits be performed in a professional manner by a pharmacist or certified pharmacy technician.

APhA supports the use of automation for prescription preparation and supports technical and personnel assistance for performing administrative duties and facilitating pharmacists’ provision of pharmaceutical care.