CVS Pharmacy Technician Certification Practice Test

What functions can only a pharmacist perform?

1. Data Entry and Register Ringing

2. Prescription Verification and Marketing

3. DUR and prescription verification

4. Filling Prescriptions and Counting Medications

The correct answer is: DUR and prescription verification

The ability to conduct Drug Utilization Reviews (DUR) and verify prescriptions is a critical function that is uniquely reserved for pharmacists. DUR involves assessing a patient's medication records to ensure safety and efficacy, which helps prevent adverse drug interactions and ensures proper therapeutic outcomes. This process requires a deep understanding of pharmacology and patient care that only licensed pharmacists possess. Prescription verification encompasses reviewing the details of a prescription to confirm that it is written correctly and is appropriate for the patient’s needs, including checking for potential drug interactions or allergies. This high level of scrutiny is essential for patient safety and is a responsibility only pharmacists are legally authorized to perform. In contrast, tasks such as data entry, ringing up purchases, filling prescriptions, and counting medications are typically functions that pharmacy technicians can assist with, under the supervision of a pharmacist. Marketing, while important, does not pertain specifically to the technical responsibilities that require the clinical judgement and professional responsibility that pharmacists hold. Thus, options involving tasks that can be handled by pharmacy technicians do not qualify as exclusive to pharmacists.