What activities are allowed in the absence of a pharmacist in Virginia?

The option indicating that only checking and dispensing prescriptions that have been verified by a pharmacist is allowed in the absence of a pharmacist reflects the specific regulatory framework in Virginia regarding the activities that can be performed by pharmacy technicians or other support staff when a pharmacist is not present.

In Virginia, pharmacy support personnel are permitted to engage in certain activities, but those activities are heavily restricted in the absence of a licensed pharmacist. These restrictions are in place to ensure that patient safety is prioritized and that professional oversight is maintained at all times.

When a prescription has been verified by a pharmacist, it indicates that the pharmacist has already performed the necessary clinical checks and validated that the treatment is appropriate for the patient. Therefore, pharmacy technicians can check and dispense these prescriptions as a supported operation, ensuring that medication is delivered to patients safely and accurately even if the pharmacist is temporarily unavailable.

This aligns with state regulations that aim to keep a strict boundary on what activities can be undertaken without the direct oversight of a licensed pharmacist, highlighting the importance of pharmacist involvement in the medication management process.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the regulations. For instance, the sale of any medications without pharmacist oversight is typically not permissible, particularly for prescription drugs. Allowing all over-the-counter sales without a pharmacist present could