What is one of the responsibilities of the PIC regarding patient counseling?

The responsibility of the pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) with respect to patient counseling includes ensuring compliance with counseling laws, such as those established in Tennessee. This reflects the legal and regulatory framework governing pharmacy practice, which mandates that patients receive appropriate counseling about their medications to promote safe and effective use.

In Tennessee, as in many states, pharmacists are required to offer counseling on new prescriptions and refills, which encompasses explaining the medication's purpose, dosage, potential side effects, and the importance of adherence to therapy. The PIC plays a crucial role in establishing policies and procedures that adhere to these laws, ensuring that counseling is consistently provided to patients.

While it is important for the PIC to oversee counseling processes, they are not required to direct every counseling session personally or perform all medication reviews themselves. Additionally, there are limits on delegating counseling to ensure that it is conducted by qualified personnel and maintains the standards as mandated by law. Therefore, adherence to the specific counseling laws is central to the PIC's responsibilities.