What are the two types of medications pharmacy technicians cannot handle?

The correct answer focuses on the specific classifications of controlled substances and hazardous drugs that pharmacy technicians are generally prohibited from handling. Schedule I controlled substances are deemed to have a high potential for abuse and have no accepted medical use in the United States; therefore, pharmacy technicians are not permitted to handle these medications. Additionally, certain hazardous drugs, particularly those that pose greater risks due to their toxicity or potential health effects, are also restricted from handling by pharmacy technicians to ensure safety for both the patients and the technicians themselves.

Understanding this distinction is crucial because it underscores the importance of regulatory compliance in pharmacy practice. The handling of hazardous drugs often requires special training and precautions due to their potential effects, emphasizing the need for strict guidelines.

The other options do not encompass the same level of restriction regarding safety and regulation. While over-the-counter medications and injectables may be handled under certain conditions, Schedule II controlled substances, which include highly regulated medications with a high risk of abuse, also require stringent controls, but they are not entirely off-limits to pharmacy technicians under the right supervision. Non-prescription medications and dietary supplements do not fall under regulated substances in the same way and can be managed by pharmacy technicians as part of their routine duties.