Know What You’re Dispensing: Drug Categorisation & Product Knowledge for Pharmacy Staff

Many dispensing errors and inappropriate counter recommendations trace back to weak product knowledge. Understanding how drugs are categorised and why is the foundation of safe, confident pharmacy practice. This session equips pharmacy assistants and interns with the essential knowledge needed to serve customers safely and responsibly every day.

What You Will Learn

1. Distinguish between OTC, prescription-only (POM), and controlled drugs and what each means at the counter
2. Identify major therapeutic groups and their common uses in community pharmacy
3. Recognise key contraindications that should trigger a pharmacist referral
4. Make safe, appropriate counter recommendations based on solid product knowledge
5. Apply categorisation knowledge to reduce dispensing errors in daily practice

Who Should Attend

1. Pharmacy assistants at all levels
2. Intern pharmacists in their early practice period
3. Any pharmacy staff who serve customers at the counter