Which of the following is NOT a primary responsibility of pharmacy technicians?

Providing patient counseling is not a primary responsibility of pharmacy technicians because this task typically falls within the scope of practice for licensed pharmacists. While pharmacy technicians might interact with patients and provide basic information about medication pick-up or refills, they are generally not authorized to provide in-depth counseling on medication use, side effects, and interactions. This responsibility requires a higher level of training and licensure, which pharmacists possess.

In contrast, compounding medications involves preparing personalized medications under the guidance of a pharmacist, which is a recognized duty of pharmacy technicians. Assisting with inventory management helps ensure that the pharmacy remains stocked with necessary medications and supplies, also aligning with a pharmacy technician's role. Performing data entry for prescriptions is a foundational task that pharmacy technicians undertake to ensure accurate medication dispensing. These responsibilities highlight the supportive role pharmacy technicians play in enhancing the efficiency of pharmacy operations while leaving clinical counseling to pharmacists.