Final answer:
Pharmacy interns cannot perform the final verification of prescriptions and counseling of patients, as these tasks are exclusively reserved for licensed pharmacists to ensure patient safety and accurate medication dispensing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The only two things that pharmacy interns cannot do under the direct supervision of a pharmacist are final verification of prescriptions and counseling patients. These responsibilities require the full licensure and expertise of a pharmacist.
Pharmacy interns are in the process of being educated and trained to eventually take on all the roles of a licensed pharmacist. While the scope of what they can do under direct supervision is broad and includes assisting with the preparation of medication, managing inventory, and executing prescription orders, the critical tasks of final verification and counseling are reserved solely for licensed pharmacists. These limitations are put in place to ensure the safety and accuracy of medications being dispensed to patients and to provide high-quality advice on the use of those medications.
Pharmacy interns acquire valuable experience in the field by engaging in all other aspects of pharmacy work, including understanding the chemistry and biology necessary to understand drug effects on the body. However, the decision-making required to verify and counsel about medications is developed fully only through extensive education and experience, culminating in licensure.