Pharmacy Technician Career Environments Retail Pharmacy Retail pharmacy, also know as community based pharmacy or community pharmacy, is a very common environment in which pharmacy technicians are employed. These pharmacies provide prescription services and an outlet for the sales of commonly purchased good and services. Retail pharmacies consists of independent pharmacies and chain pharmacies. In general, the major benefit of retail pharmacies is accessibility. Often the patient will go to see the pharmacist at a retail store first before seeking medical attention for which they may have limited access to or no insurance to help cover the costs.