Pharmacy Technicians are often your first point of contact when filling your prescriptions, yet their work goes far beyond the counter. On October 21, Pharmacy Technician Day, the National Health Fund (NHF) proudly recognises its 364 Pharmacy Technicians for the vital role they play in ensuring medication access, supporting adherence and delivering compassionate patient care.
As Andene Longmore, Pharmacy Technician at Mandeville Regional Hospital DrugServ, explains, they are key professionals working under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist to ensure the smooth operation of the pharmacy. Their responsibilities include:
- Receiving and verifying prescriptions
- Preparing medications for dispensing
- Maintaining records
- Managing inventory
- Answering patients’ questions with clarity and care Inspired to serve
For Andene, the decision to pursue this career was deeply personal. Inspired by the kindness of a pharmacy technician who once helped her grandmother, she realised the impact that empathy and patience could have on a person’s well-being. “This interaction was so powerful, it put a smile on her face,” she recalls. “I was inspired and decided this would be my avenue to help people and ultimately make a positive change to society.” Working in a high-volume setting like Mandeville Regional Hospital means processing hundreds of prescriptions daily, but Andene remains focused on serving each patient with accuracy and understanding. “Being patient, empathetic, listening to my customers and answering their questions are all ways in which I support them,” she shares.
Beyond filling prescriptions, this support helps patients use their medication correctly and remain on track with their treatment. The joy of helping others Demanding customers and the risk of medication errors make the role challenging, but the rewards of a job well done are profound. “It feels good to know I played a role in improving someone’s health,” says Andene.
She enjoys seeing the relief of customers who finally understand their prescriptions and the improvements in health experienced by patients improve over time. Pharmacy Technician Day is a moment to highlight these essential contributions. “Many Jamaicans are not even aware Pharmacy Technicians exist; they just label everyone in the pharmacy as Pharmacists,” Andene notes. “So, I am happy for this day to shed some light on what we do and to give us our flowers.” Today, NHF celebrates Andene and all Pharmacy Technicians across Jamaica. Your dedication ensures patients have access to their medications, adhere to their treatments and receive the support they need on their journey to better health.
