What should a pharmacy technician do first when notified by a nurse about a missing drug?

When a pharmacy technician is notified by a nurse about a missing drug, the first step should involve checking the patient's profile to verify that there was a physician's order for the medication. This action is critical because it ensures that the claim of the missing drug is substantiated. By confirming that there was a legitimate prescription or order for the medication, the technician can determine the urgency of the situation and whether any further action, such as locating the medication or addressing a potential error in dispensing, needs to be taken.

Validating the physician's order is fundamental for patient safety and maintaining accurate records in the pharmacy system. If the prescription is confirmed, the pharmacy technician can then proceed to investigate further—like checking the storage area for possible misplacement—because they have verified that the medication was indeed meant to be provided to the patient. On the other hand, if there is no physician's order, it may suggest other avenues to explore, such as possible miscommunication with the nursing staff or clarification of the patient's needs.

This initial check can prevent unnecessary actions such as contacting suppliers or notifying management without first confirming the authenticity of the request, which can lead to confusion and potentially delay patient care.