Human Trafficking Awareness, Training, and Preparedness Among Pharmacy Technicians: A National Survey

Human trafficking victims and survivors in the United States frequently interact with healthcare systems, including pharmacies, yet little research has examined pharmacy technicians’ preparedness to identify and respond to trafficking. Pharmacy technicians are often the first point of contact for patients and may therefore be uniquely positioned to recognize indicators of trafficking and respond appropriately. Using a national online survey of 517 pharmacy technicians, this study examined American pharmacy technicians’ awareness of human trafficking, prior anti-human trafficking training experiences, confidence in recognizing and responding to suspected victims, and perceived anti-human trafficking training needs. Participants with prior anti-human trafficking training reported greater confidence in recognizing indicators of trafficking and responding appropriately. The vast majority of participants (91.3%) reported that pharmacy-centric training would be beneficial. Participants also described encounters with individuals they believed to be victims or survivors and identified indicators observed in pharmacy settings, including unusual prescription patterns, third party-controlled interactions, and visible signs of injury or distress. These findings support integrating human trafficking content into pharmacy technician curricula and continuing education requirements. Mandated, evidence-based, and accessible training tailored to pharmacy technicians may improve preparedness, promote more consistent response practices, and strengthen the pharmacy workforce’s role in broader public health efforts to address trafficking. Such efforts may also inform pharmacy education and regulatory policy and contribute to progress toward UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Promoting just, peaceful and inclusive societies) by enhancing healthcare-based identification and response.