§30-5-5a Legislative findings; registration of pharmacy technicians; qualifications; training programs; rules and restrictions. - West Virginia Statutes

§30-5-5a. Legislative findings; registration of pharmacy technicians; qualifications; training programs; rules and restrictions.

(a) The Legislature finds that it is in the best interests of the public health, safety and welfare that licensed pharmacists in this state be assisted with or relieved of certain tasks so that the pharmacist may counsel patients, improve pharmaceutical care and therapeutic outcomes. To achieve this aim, the board shall recognize and register pharmacy technicians.

(b) On or after the first day of July, one thousand nine hundred ninety-six, any person practicing as a pharmacy technician in this state shall be registered with the board of pharmacy pursuant to the provisions of this section.

(c) In order to become registered as pharmacy technicians in this state, individuals shall:

(1) Be at least eighteen years old;

(2) Be a high school graduate or its equivalent;

(3) Present to the board satisfactory evidence that he or she is of good moral character, is not addicted to alcohol or controlled substances and is free of any felony convictions; and

(4) Satisfactorily complete a board-approved pharmacy technician training program.

(d) The pharmacy technician training program and its curriculum shall be designed to train individuals to perform nonprofessional functions as described in legislative rules promulgated in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code.

(e) Pharmacy technicians shall be identified by a name tag and designation as pharmacy technician while working in a pharmacy within this state. A ratio of no more than four pharmacy technicians per on-duty pharmacist operating in any outpatient, mail order or institutional pharmacy shall be maintained.