What is the primary role of a pharmacy technician?

The primary role of a pharmacy technician is to assist pharmacists in dispensing medications and managing pharmacy operations. Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of licensed pharmacists, facilitating the safe and efficient distribution of medications to patients. Their responsibilities include preparing and labeling medications, maintaining inventory, processing prescriptions, and ensuring that all activities comply with pharmacy laws and regulations. This role is crucial in helping pharmacists focus on their clinical duties, such as evaluating prescriptions and counseling patients, while ensuring that the operational aspects of the pharmacy run smoothly. The other options do not align with the established responsibilities of pharmacy technicians; conducting clinical trials is typically a role reserved for researchers and clinical professionals, prescribing medications is the exclusive purview of licensed healthcare providers, and providing financial advice is outside the standard practice of pharmacy.