PEBC Tech QE Part I key terms

A patient-centred practice model in which pharmacy staff work with the patient and other health professionals to design, implement, and monitor a medication plan that improves health outcomes.

A formal process of comparing a patient's current medication list with newly prescribed or documented medications at care transitions, then resolving discrepancies to prevent omissions, duplications, or dosing errors.

A systematic interview process used to gather all medications a patient is actually taking, including prescription, over-the-counter, natural health products, and recreational substances, before treatment decisions or admission.

An unwanted or harmful response to a medication that occurs at normal therapeutic doses; it may be predictable or unpredictable and should be documented and reported as required.

Any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of a health professional, patient, or consumer.

A structured record completed after a medication error or near miss to document what happened, contributing factors, and actions taken, supporting analysis and prevention.

The duty to protect a patient's personal health information from unauthorized collection, use, disclosure, or access, consistent with privacy laws and pharmacy policies.

The legally defined activities a pharmacy technician may perform, along with the supervision, delegation, or authorization requirements that apply in a given jurisdiction.

A lawful order from an authorized prescriber for a specific medication, strength, dosage form, quantity, and directions for an individual patient.

The directions on a prescription that tell the patient how to take the medication, including dose, frequency, route, and any special instructions; it is usually written in abbreviated form.

An abbreviation meaning 'as needed'; it indicates that a medication should be used only when a specified condition occurs, within any stated maximum dose or frequency.

Drug Identification Number: an eight-digit number assigned by Health Canada to identify a drug product approved for sale in Canada; it appears on labels and prescription records.

A list of medications approved for use or coverage by a hospital, insurer, or government drug plan, often with restrictions, preferred products, and prescribing criteria.

A request to a public drug plan for coverage of a medication that is not routinely covered or that requires meeting specific clinical criteria before approval.

An additional dispensing of a previously prescribed medication under an existing prescription, permitted only when authorized refills remain and legal and clinical requirements are met.

The process of moving a prescription's remaining refills and relevant dispensing information from one pharmacy to another, following privacy, documentation, and professional requirements.

A professional fee charged by a pharmacy for preparing and dispensing a prescription; it is separate from the drug cost and may be partly or fully covered by a drug plan.

The preparation of a customized medication from approved ingredients to meet a patient's specific needs, such as an unavailable dosage form, strength, or flavor.

The just-in-time preparation of a non-commercial medication product for a specific prescription, often when a commercial product is unavailable or unsuitable for the patient.

A mixing method for combining a small amount of potent ingredient with an equal volume of diluent, then repeatedly doubling the amount until the full batch is uniformly mixed.

The process of reducing particle size and mixing powders by rubbing or grinding them in a mortar with a pestle to create a uniform mixture.

The process of wetting a powder with a small amount of liquid to form a smooth paste before incorporating it into an ointment or cream, reducing grittiness.

Beyond-use date: the date after which a compounded preparation must not be used because its stability, sterility, or quality can no longer be assured; it is assigned from established guidelines.

A set of practices used to prevent contamination of sterile products and equipment, including hand hygiene, proper garbing, disinfection, and controlled movement in a sterile compounding area.

A device such as a laminar airflow hood or biological safety cabinet that provides a controlled environment for sterile compounding by directing filtered air to protect the product and operator.

A cleanroom air-quality standard permitting no more than 3,520 particles of 0.5 micrometres or larger per cubic metre; it is required for critical sterile compounding areas.

A process that destroys or removes all viable microorganisms, including bacterial spores, from an object or preparation; common pharmacy methods include steam autoclaving and filtration.

A route of administration that delivers medication into the body by injection or infusion, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract; parenteral products must be sterile and compatible with the route.

Total parenteral nutrition: a sterile compounded mixture of amino acids, dextrose, lipids, electrolytes, vitamins, and trace elements given intravenously to patients who cannot use the gastrointestinal tract.

A measure of how many times a pharmacy's inventory is sold or used during a period, calculated to assess stock efficiency and identify slow-moving or overstocked items.

A system that continuously tracks stock quantities as items are received, dispensed, or returned, allowing real-time balance checks and supporting ordering and recall management.

The date assigned by the manufacturer after which a drug product should not be used because its potency, purity, or stability may no longer be assured under labeled storage conditions.

A process for removing a medication or lot from distribution or patient use because of a safety, quality, or effectiveness concern; it requires prompt identification, quarantine, and documentation.

Standard operating procedure: a written, step-by-step instruction for performing a routine pharmacy task consistently and safely, including responsibilities, materials, and documentation requirements.

A medication regulated under federal or provincial law because of abuse or dependence potential; its prescribing, storage, recording, and dispensing are subject to additional legal requirements.

An ordering approach in which stock is received close to when it is needed, reducing carrying costs and excess stock while requiring reliable suppliers and accurate usage forecasting.

The process of placing dispensed but uncollected or unused medications back into pharmacy inventory only when legal, storage, and product-integrity requirements allow it.