What should a technician do if they notice a medication has a different color than listed on the label?

When a pharmacy technician notices that a medication has a different color than what is indicated on the label, the best course of action is to double-check with the pharmacist. This is crucial because differences in medication appearance, such as color, can indicate that there has been a formulation change, the wrong medication has been dispensed, or a potential safety issue might exist.

By consulting with the pharmacist, the technician ensures that any potential concerns about medication safety are addressed before the medication is dispensed to the patient. The pharmacist has the expertise to verify whether the variation in appearance is acceptable or if it warrants further investigation and possible actions, such as obtaining the correct medication or alerting the patient of any essential information regarding the medication. This collaboration also emphasizes the importance of accuracy and patient safety within the pharmacy workflow.

While informing the patient of the difference can be important, it should be done after verification with the pharmacist to ensure they are provided with accurate and safe information regarding their medication. Dispensing the medication as is or ignoring the discrepancy could lead to medication errors, which pose significant risks to patient safety.