How to Answer: What is the difference between prescription medicine and over-the-counter drugs?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Pharmacy Technician job interview.
12. What is the difference between prescription medicine and over-the-counter drugs?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Prescription medication requires a doctor's prescription, while over-the-counter medication does not. As a Pharmacy Technician, your job is to interpret and fill prescriptions written by various doctors. The interviewer wants to ensure you understand the differences between the two.
Written by Krista Wenz on November 13th, 2022
Entry Level Example
"The obvious difference is that prescription medication requires a physician's prescription and is intended for just one person. For a retail position like this, it is still important for a technician to be able to answer questions on over-the-counter drugs as customers will ask many questions about them."
Written by Heather Douglass
Answer Example
"Prescription medication requires a physician to write a prescription and is something you cannot purchase over the counter. Sometimes there is a version of the medication over the counter, but it is generally a lower strength."
Written by Krista Wenz on November 13th, 2022
Experienced Example
"Over-the-counter medications are typically available in any grocery or retail store and do not require a prescription from a physician. Having worked retail for many years, I'm familiar with helping patients pick out the best over-the-counter medication for their symptoms with the pharmacist's assistance."
Written by Krista Wenz on November 13th, 2022
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