Technician Product Verification Process

Implementation Date: 10/2021

Date of Last Review: 3/27/2023

Next Review Due: 5/2023

 

Reviewed by VTH Administrative Team: 10/2021

Reviewed by VTH Board: N/A

 

Reviewed by Legal Counsel: N/A

Reviewed by Biosecurity Subcommittee: N/A

Subject to modification by the VTH Director without approval.

Policy

The intent of this policy is to describe the policy and process for final product verification when a pharmacist is not available. This applies to pharmacy technicians who have been approved to be a final product verifier. To provide a guideline for approved Pharmacy Technicians to double-check and verify medications when there is not a pharmacist available. 

Guidelines

The Pharmacy Technician(s) must pass an approved TPV (Technician Product Verification) course and pass the PTCB exam. Once completed, Dispensary Service Head must dictate and approve when Technician can proceed to be a second verifier. If anything is questionable, (dosages, high-risk antibiotics, day supply, etc) the technician must double check with the prescribing doctor or wait to fill the prescription until the Pharmacist is available.

Procedure (if applicable)

The prescription must be pinned off the Doctor Worklist and the Pharmacy Worklist by the appropriate doctor and a prescription label printed. Once it has been filled, the second verifier should follow the procedure:

1. Read the prescription label carefully – read instructions, drug, and quantity. Look for any misspellings and ensure the instructions are clear to understand. 
2. All items that are dispensed by the package, please verify the package is intact and contains the full amount (i.e. Denamarin 30ct box; Maropitant box; Clavamox Chewables). Open package to make sure nothing is missing or partially opened. 

Tablets/capsules 

• Match drug name, strength, and form, and package size to label 
• Verify product matches the prescribed drug: open stock bottle and open the filled prescription to match the product is the same size and color.
• If a patient is receiving the same drug in multiple strengths, and tablets look similar – read the inscription on the tablet/capsule to match stock product.
• If dispensing with the original bottle/box from Manufacturer – verify cap is child-proof and the manufacturer's expiration date is not covered.
• Check expiration date
• Check for correct auxiliary labels
• If medication needs to be mixed into a slurry or followed by water, ensure syringe is dispensed
• Verify filling technician has initialed and write your initials on the label once double verification is compete. 
• Place clear tape over the prescription label.

Suspensions/Oral Liquids

• Match drug name and strength to the label
• Check medication for uniformity and make sure it is the correct amount. 
• Verify that the dosing syringe is appropriately marked by checking dosing amount on the label.
• Verify Auxiliary Labels
• Verify expiration is appropriate for treatment duration 
• Verify filling technician has initialed and write your initials on the label once double verification is compete. 
• Place clear tape over the prescription label.
• Provide icepacks as needed

Injectables

• Verify sig directions quantity matches the prescribed quantity (i.e. “Inject 0.24ml subcutaneously” but the ordered quantity is 0.20ml)
• Match drug name, strength, and expiration of the vial and check if is single dose (SDV) or multi-dose (MDV).
• Insulin must be drawn up in the correct dosing syringe (verify units to ml conversion is correct, if applicable) 
• Verify the quantity in the syringe matches label carefully. 
• Verify filling technician has initialed and write your initials on the label once double verification is compete.
• Place clear tape over the prescription label.
  
  

Definitions (if applicable)

TPV-Technician Product Verification

PTCB- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board

SDV- Single Dose Vial

MDV- Multi Dose Vial

Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH): The collective clinical services of the Large Animal Clinic, Midwest Equine, the Small Animal Clinic, and the Veterinary Medicine South Clinic.