Section 22-B1916. REMOTE AUTOMATED PHARMACY SERVICES

 

1916.1The purpose of this section is to provide standards for the provision of remote pharmacy services by a provider pharmacy in a facility that is not at the same location as the provider pharmacy through an automated pharmacy system.

 

1916.2A provider pharmacy may provide remote pharmacy services directly or through the use of a Board-approved subcontractor using an automated pharmacy system to a health care facility or other appropriate facility located in the District of Columbia if:

 

(a)The provider pharmacy submits an application to the Director for permission to provide remote pharmacy services using an automated medication dispensing system. The application shall include:

 

(1)The name, address, and license number of the provider pharmacy;

 

(2)The name and address of the facility where the remote pharmacy services will be provided;

 

(3)The name and address of the subcontractor who will provide after-hours remote pharmacy services, if applicable;

 

(4)An affidavit with the notarized signatures of the pharmacist-in-charge, and the medical director or the person responsible for the on-site operation of the facility affirming that the provider pharmacy and the facility have entered into a written agreement outlining the responsibilities of each party in complying with this chapter and the applicable federal and District laws and regulations; and

 

(5)Documentation that the automated medication dispensing system is located where medications are administered by authorized health care professions.

 

(b)The Director approves the application. Upon approval of the application, the provider pharmacy will be sent a certificate which must be displayed at the remote site.

 

1916.3A provider pharmacy may only utilize a subcontractor for the provision of after-hours and weekend remote pharmacy services, or in the case of an emergency situation caused by forces majeure, i.e. acts of God.

 

1916.4A provider pharmacy shall notify the Director in writing within ten (10) days of a change of location, discontinuance of service, or closure of a remote site or remote pharmacy service.

 

1916.5The pharmacist-in-charge of the provider pharmacy is responsible for all pharmacy operations involving the automated pharmacy system located at the remote site including supervision of the automated pharmacy system and compliance with this section.

 

1916.6The following duties shall be performed only by a licensed pharmacist at the provider pharmacy:

 

(a)Receiving an oral, facsimile, or electronic prescription drug order;

 

(b)Interpreting the prescription drug order;

 

(c)Verifying the accuracy of the prescription data entry;

 

(d)Selecting the drug product;

 

(e)Interpreting the patient's medication records and conducting a drug regimen review;

 

(f)Authorizing the telepharmacy system to print a prescription label at the remote site; and

 

(g)Performing the final check of the dispensed prescription to ensure that the prescription drug order has been dispensed accurately as prescribed. The final check shall be accomplished through a visual check using electronic methods.

 

1916.7Patient counseling of an inpatient of a health care facility may be performed by either a pharmacist or a licensed health care professional authorized to administer drugs.

 

1916.8Drugs shall only be dispensed at a remote site through an automated prescription medication dispensing system if:

 

(a)An original prescription drug order has been received, or reviewed electronically, by a pharmacist at the provider pharmacy;

 

(b)A pharmacist at the provider pharmacy has approved the release of the initial dose of a prescription drug order; and

 

(c)A pharmacist at the provider pharmacy has conducted a drug regimen review prior to releasing a prescription drug order to the automated pharmacy system.

 

1916.9Non-sterile drugs which require reconstitution through the addition of a specified amount of water may be dispensed by the remote site only if a registered pharmacy technician or an authorized licensed healthcare provider reconstitutes the product.

 

1916.10Subsequent doses from an approved prescription drug order may be removed from the automated medication system by, authorized personnel, after the initial approval. Any change made in the prescription drug order shall require a new approval by a pharmacist to release the drug.

 

1916.11A provider pharmacy shall only store drugs at a remote site within an automated medication dispensing system that is locked by key or combination so as to prevent access by unauthorized personnel.

 

1916.12A pharmacist from the provider pharmacy shall be accessible at all times to respond to a patient's or other health professional's questions and needs pertaining to drugs dispensed through an automated medication dispensing system at a remote site. The access may be by telephone or through a twenty-four (24) hour pager service.

 

1916.13The provider pharmacy shall be responsible for ensuring that the requirements set forth under §§ 1914 and 1915 of this Title are met, and for maintaining all required records.

 

1916.14The pharmacist-in-charge of the provider pharmacy shall be responsible for ensuring that the remote site and automated medication dispensing system comply with all applicable federal and District laws and regulations.

 

1916.15Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit a pharmacy, or provider pharmacy, located within the District of Columbia to provide remote pharmacy services to a facility or individual located outside of the District of Columbia without legal authorization under the laws of the recipient state or jurisdiction.

 

source

Final Rulemaking published at 38 DCR 6734, 6750 (November 8, 1991); as amended by Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 55 DCR 270 (January 11, 2008).