Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) Practice Exam

A patient brings in two new prescriptions from two different doctors. One prescription is for ibuprofen 800 mg, 1 tablet po t.i.d. and another prescription is for Anaprox DS, 1 tablet b.i.d. What should the technician do?

1. Tell the patient to decide which prescription s/he wants to fill

2. Tell the patient that s/he must get generic for both prescriptions

3. Alert the pharmacist of a possible therapeutic duplication

4. Fill both prescriptions as written

The correct answer is: Alert the pharmacist of a possible therapeutic duplication

The appropriate action in this scenario is to alert the pharmacist of a possible therapeutic duplication. Ibuprofen and Anaprox DS (naproxen) both belong to the class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and serve similar therapeutic purposes, primarily pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects. When a patient is prescribed two medications from the same class, particularly with overlapping indications and dosing, it is crucial to evaluate the risk of therapeutic duplication, which could lead to an increased likelihood of side effects, such as gastrointestinal issues or renal impairment, particularly due to the combined effects of NSAIDs. Alerting the pharmacist ensures that a comprehensive medication review is conducted, allowing for an assessment of the appropriateness of the therapies. The pharmacist can then determine whether to modify the treatment plan, provide guidance to the patient, or decide to fill one of the prescriptions based on the evaluation of overall patient health and specific clinical circumstances. This approach prioritizes patient safety and efficacy of therapy, showcasing the pharmacy technician's role in the collaborative healthcare team.