Part IX. Pharmacy Services to Hospitals
18VAC110-20-440. Responsibilities of the pharmacist-in-charge.
A. The PIC in a pharmacy located within a hospital or the PIC of any outside pharmacy providing pharmacy services to a hospital shall be responsible for establishing procedures for and assuring maintenance of the proper storage, security, and dispensing of all drugs used throughout the hospital.
B. The PIC of a pharmacy serving a hospital shall be responsible for maintaining a policy and procedure for providing reviews of drug therapy to include at a minimum any irregularities in drug therapy consistent with § 54.1-3319 A of the Code of Virginia.
C. Prior to the opening of a satellite pharmacy within the hospital, the PIC shall notify the board as required by 18VAC110-20-140 and shall ensure compliance with subsections B through G of 18VAC110-20-150, 18VAC110-20-160, 18VAC110-20-170, 18VAC110-20-180 and 18VAC110-20-190. No drugs shall be stocked in a satellite pharmacy until an inspection has been completed and approval given for opening.
D. For the following list of Schedule VI controlled substances, the PIC of a pharmacy serving a hospital may authorize the storage in an area of the hospital outside the pharmacy, and may delegate the ordering and distribution within the hospital to nonpharmacy personnel provided the conditions for proper storage and adequate security and the procedures for distribution are set forth in the pharmacy's policy and procedure manual, and provided that the PIC assures that these storage areas are checked monthly for compliance. The storage areas must be locked when authorized staff is not present in the area. Except for nitrous oxide, medical gases may be stored in an unlocked area.
1. Large volume parenteral solutions that contain no active therapeutic drugs other than electrolytes;
2. Irrigation solutions;
3. Contrast media;
4. Medical gases;
5. Sterile sealed surgical trays that may include a Schedule VI drug; and
6. Blood components and derivatives, and synthetic blood components and products that are classified as prescription drugs.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3307 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR530-01-1 § 10.2, eff. October 25, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 4, eff. December 16, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 1, eff. November 4, 1993; Volume 11, Issue 21, eff. August 9, 1995; Volume 12, Issue 21, eff. August 7, 1996; Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004; Volume 25, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2009.
18VAC110-20-450. After-hours access to the pharmacy.
A. When authorized by the PIC, an authorized nurse may have access to a supply of drugs maintained by the pharmacy at a location outside the pharmacy in order to obtain emergency medication during hours the pharmacy is closed, provided that such drug is available in the manufacturer's original package or in units which have been prepared and labeled by a pharmacist and provided further that a separate record shall be made and left at the location of the stock of drugs on a form prescribed by the PIC and such records are maintained within the pharmacy for a period of one year showing:
1 The date of withdrawal;
2. The patient's name;
3. The name of the drug, strength, dosage form and dose prescribed;
4. Number of doses removed; and
5. The signature of the authorized nurse.
B. If the after-hours supply of drugs is in an area that is continuously open and staffed, such as a patient floor or emergency room, then the area does not need to be alarmed. If the after-hours supply is maintained in an area of the hospital that is not open and continuously staffed, such as a floor that primarily houses departments that are closed daily, then an alarm that meets the requirements of 18VAC110-20-180 shall be installed and activated at all times.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-2400 and Chapters 33 (§ 54.1-3300 et seq.) and 34 (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR530-01-1 § 10.3, eff. October 25, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 4, eff. December 16, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 1, eff. November 4, 1993; Volume 11, Issue 21, eff. August 9, 1995; Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004; Volume 25, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2009.
18VAC110-20-460. Floor stock drugs; proof of delivery; distribution records.
A. A pharmacist shall check all Schedule II-VI drugs delivered to a hospital unit as floor-stock before the drugs leave the pharmacy and shall initial or sign manually or electronically the record of distribution verifying the accuracy of the distribution.
B. A delivery receipt shall be obtained for Schedule II through V drugs supplied as floor stock. This record shall include the date, drug name and strength, quantity, hospital unit receiving drug and the manual or electronic signatures of the dispensing pharmacist and the receiving nurse.
C. A record of disposition/administration shall be used to document administration of Schedule II through V drugs when a floor stock system is used for such drugs. The record shall be returned to the pharmacy within three months of its issue. The PIC or his designee shall:
1. Match returned records with delivery receipts to verify that all records are returned;
2. Periodically audit returned administration records for completeness as to patient's names, dose, date and time of administration, signature or initials of person administering the drug, and date the record is returned;
3. Verify that all additions to inventory are recorded, that all additions to and deductions from inventory are correctly calculated, that sums carried from one record to the next are correctly recorded, and periodically verify that doses documented on administration records are reflected in the medical record; and
4. Initial the returned record.
D. All records required by this section shall be filed chronologically by date of issue, and retained for two years from the date of return at the address of the pharmacy. Schedule VI records may be maintained in offsite storage or as an electronic image that provides an exact image of the document that is clearly legible provided such offsite or electronic storage is retrievable and made available for inspection or audit within 48 hours of a request by the board or an authorized agent. Schedule II-V records may only be stored offsite or electronically as described in this subsection if authorized by DEA or in federal law or regulation. The filing requirements of 18VAC110-20-240 A 1 for separation of Schedule II records shall be met for administration records if the Schedule II drugs are listed in a separate section on a page that contains other schedules of drugs.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-2400 and Chapters 33 (§ 54.1-3300 et seq.) and 34 (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR530-01-1 § 10.4, eff. October 25, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 4, eff. December 16, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 1, eff. November 4, 1993; Volume 11, Issue 21, eff. August 9, 1995; Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004; Volume 25, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2009.
18VAC110-20-470. Emergency room.
All drugs in the emergency department shall be under the control and supervision of the PIC and shall be subject to the following additional requirements:
1. All drugs kept in the emergency room shall be in a secure place from which unauthorized personnel and the general public are excluded.
2. Oral orders for medications shall be reduced to writing and shall be signed by the prescriber.
3. A medical practitioner may dispense drugs to his patients if in a bona fide medical emergency or when pharmaceutical services are not readily available and if permitted to do so by the hospital; the drug container and the labeling shall comply with the requirements of this chapter and the Drug Control Act.
4. A record shall be maintained of all drugs administered in the emergency room.
5. A separate record shall be maintained on all drugs, including drug samples, dispensed in the emergency room. The records shall be maintained for a period of two years showing:
a. Date and time dispensed;
b. Patient's name;
c. Prescriber's name; and
d. Name of drug dispensed, strength, dosage form, quantity dispensed, and dose.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3307 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR530-01-1 § 10.5, eff. October 25, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 4, eff. December 16, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 1, eff. November 4, 1993; Volume 11, Issue 21, eff. August 9, 1995; Volume 15, Issue 8, eff. February 3, 1999; Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004; Volume 36, Issue 6, eff. December 11, 2019.
18VAC110-20-480. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR530-01-1 § 10.6, eff. October 25, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 4, eff. December 16, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 1, eff. November 4, 1993; Volume 11, Issue 21, eff. August 9, 1995; Volume 12, Issue 21, eff. August 7, 1996; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004.
18VAC110-20-490. Automated devices for dispensing and administration of drugs.
A. A hospital may use automated devices for the dispensing and administration of drugs pursuant to § 54.1-3301 of the Code of Virginia and §§ 54.1-3401 and 54.1-3434.02 of the Drug Control Act and in accordance with 18VAC110-20-270, 18VAC110-20-420, or 18VAC110-20-460 as applicable.
B. Policy and procedure manual; access codes.
1. Proper use of the automated dispensing devices and means of compliance with requirements shall be set forth in the pharmacy's policy and procedure manual, which shall include provisions for granting and terminating user access.
2. Personnel allowed access to an automated dispensing device shall have a specific access code that records the identity of the person accessing the device. The device may verify access codes using biometric identification or other coded identification after the initial log-on in order to eliminate sharing or theft of access codes.
C. Distribution of drugs from the pharmacy.
1. Prior to removal of drugs from the pharmacy, a delivery record shall be generated for all drugs to be placed in an automated dispensing device. The delivery record shall include the date; drug name, dosage form, and strength; quantity; hospital unit and a unique identifier for the specific device receiving the drug; initials of the person loading the automated dispensing device; and initials of the pharmacist checking the drugs to be removed from the pharmacy and the delivery record for accuracy.
2. At the time of loading any Schedules II through V drug, the person loading will verify that the count of that drug in the automated dispensing device is correct. Any discrepancy noted shall be recorded on the delivery record and immediately reported to the pharmacist in charge, who shall be responsible for ensuring reconciliation of the discrepancy or properly reporting of a loss.
D. Distribution of drugs from the device.
1. Automated dispensing devices in hospitals shall be capable of producing a hard-copy record of distribution that shall show patient name, drug name and strength, dose withdrawn, date and time of withdrawal from the device, and identity of person withdrawing the drug. The record shall be filed in chronological order from date of issue or maintained electronically.
2. If an automated dispensing device is used to obtain drugs for dispensing from an emergency room, a separate dispensing record is not required provided the automated record distinguishes dispensing from administration and records the identity of the physician who is dispensing.
E. Discrepancy reports. A discrepancy report for all Schedules II through V drugs and any drugs of concern, as defined in § 54.1-3456.1 of the Code of Virginia, shall be generated for each discrepancy in the count of a drug on hand in the device. Each such report shall be initiated or resolved by the PIC or his designee within 72 hours of the time the discrepancy was discovered or, if determined to be a theft or an unusual loss of drugs, shall be immediately reported to the board in accordance with § 54.1-3404 E of the Drug Control Act.
F. Reviews and audits.
1. The PIC or his designee shall conduct at least a monthly review for compliance with written policy and procedures that are consistent with § 54.1-3434.02 A of the Drug Control Act for security and use of the automated dispensing devices, to include procedures for timely termination of access codes when applicable, accuracy of distribution from the device, and proper recordkeeping.
2. The PIC or his designee shall conduct at least a monthly audit to review distribution of Schedules II through V drugs from each automated dispensing device as follows:
a. The audit shall reconcile records of all quantities of Schedules II through V drugs dispensed from the pharmacy with records of all quantities loaded into each device to detect whether any drug recorded as removed from the pharmacy was diverted rather than placed in the proper device.
b. If a pharmacy has an ongoing method for perpetually monitoring drugs in Schedules II through V to ensure drugs dispensed from the pharmacy have been loaded into the device and not diverted, such as with the use of perpetual inventory management software, then the audit required in this subsection may be limited to the discrepancies or exceptions as identified by the method for perpetually monitoring the drugs.
3. The PIC or his designee shall conduct at least a monthly audit to review the dispensing and administration records of Schedules II through V drugs from each automated dispensing device as follows:
a. The audit shall include a review of administration records for each device per month for possible diversion by fraudulent charting. The review shall include all Schedules II through V drugs administered for a time period of not less than 24 consecutive hours during the audit period.
b. The hard-copy distribution and administration records printed out and reviewed in the audit shall be initialed and dated by the person conducting the audit. If nonpharmacist personnel conduct the audit, a pharmacist shall review the record and shall initial and date the record.
c. The PIC or his designee shall be exempt from requirements of this audit if reconciliation software that provides a statistical analysis is used to generate reports at least monthly. The statistical analysis shall be based on:
(1) Peer-to-peer comparisons of use for that unit or department; and
(2) Monitoring of overrides and unresolved discrepancies.
d. The report shall be used to identify suspicious activity, which includes usage beyond three standard deviations in peer-to-peer comparisons. A focused audit of the suspicious activity and individuals associated with the activity shall be performed whenever suspicious activity is identified from the reports.
4. The PIC or his designee shall maintain a record of compliance with the reviews and audits in accordance with subsection H of this section.
G. Inspections. Automated dispensing devices shall be inspected monthly by pharmacy personnel to verify proper storage, proper location of drugs within the device, expiration dates, the security of drugs, and validity of access codes. The PIC or his designee shall maintain documentation of the inspection in accordance with subsection H of this section. With the exception of a monthly physical review of look-alike and sound-alike drugs stored within matrix drawers or open access areas within the device, such monthly inspection shall not require physical inspection of the device if the device is capable of and performs the following:
1. At least daily monitoring of refrigerator or freezer storage with documented temperature ranges, variances, and resolutions;
2. Automatic identification and isolation of the location of each drug within the device using a machine readable product identifier, such as barcode technology, and generation of a report verifying the applicable settings;
3. Electronic tracking of drug expiration dates and generation of proactive reports allowing for the replacement of drugs prior to their expiration date; and
4. Electronic detection of the opening of the device, identification of the person accessing the device, automatic denial of access to the device during malfunctions and mechanical errors, and generation of reports of any malfunction and mechanical error.
H. Records.
1. All records required by this section shall be maintained for a period of not less than two years. Records shall be maintained at the address of the pharmacy providing services to the hospital except manual Schedule VI distribution records, reports auditing for indications of suspicious activity, and focused audits, all of which may be maintained in offsite storage or electronically as an electronic image that provides an exact image of the document that is clearly legible provided such offsite or electronic records are retrievable and made available for inspection or audit within 48 hours of a request by the board or an authorized agent.
2. Distribution and delivery records and required initials may be generated or maintained electronically provided:
a. The system being used has the capability of recording an electronic signature that is a unique identifier and restricted to the individual required to initial or sign the record.
b. The records are maintained in a read-only format that cannot be altered after the information is recorded.
c. The system used is capable of producing a hard-copy printout of the records upon request.
3. Schedules II through V distribution and delivery records may also be stored off site or electronically in compliance with requirements of subdivision 1 of this subsection and if authorized by DEA or in federal law or regulation.
4. Hard-copy distribution and administration records that are printed and reviewed in conducting required audits may be maintained at an off-site location or electronically provided they can be readily retrieved upon request; provided they are maintained in a read-only format that does not allow alteration of the records; and provided a separate log is maintained for a period of two years showing dates of audit and review, the identity of the automated dispensing device being audited, the time period covered by the audit and review, and the initials of all reviewers.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3307 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR530-01-1 § 10.7, eff. October 25, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 4, eff. December 16, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 1, eff. November 4, 1993; Volume 11, Issue 21, eff. August 9, 1995; Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. February 4, 1998; Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 4, 1999; Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004; Volume 25, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2009; Volume 27, Issue 11, eff. March 17, 2011; Volume 30, Issue 10, eff. February 12, 2014; Volume 36, Issue 6, eff. December 11, 2019.
18VAC110-20-500. Licensed emergency medical services (EMS) agencies.
A. The pharmacy may prepare a kit for a licensed EMS agency provided:
1. The PIC of the hospital pharmacy shall be responsible for all prescription drugs and Schedule VI controlled devices contained in this kit. Except as authorized in 18VAC110-20-505, a pharmacist shall check each kit after filling and initial the filling record certifying the accuracy and integrity of the contents of the kit.
2. The kit is sealed, secured, and stored in such a manner that it will deter theft or loss of drugs and devices and aid in detection of theft or loss.
a. The hospital pharmacy shall have a method of sealing the kits such that once the seal is broken, it cannot be reasonably resealed without the breach being detected.
b. If a seal is used, it shall have a unique numeric or alphanumeric identifier to preclude replication or resealing. The pharmacy shall maintain a record of the seal identifiers when placed on a kit and maintain the record for a period of one year.
c. In lieu of a seal, a kit with a built-in mechanism preventing resealing or relocking once opened except by the provider pharmacy may be used.
3. Drugs and devices may be administered by an EMS provider upon an oral or written order or standing protocol of an authorized medical practitioner in accordance with § 54.1-3408 of the Code of Virginia. Oral orders shall be reduced to writing by the EMS provider and shall be signed by a medical practitioner. Written standing protocols shall be signed by the operational medical director for the EMS agency. A current copy of the signed standing protocol shall be maintained by the pharmacy participating in the kit exchange. The EMS provider shall make a record of all drugs and devices administered to a patient.
4. When the drug kit has been opened, the kit shall be returned to the pharmacy and exchanged for an unopened kit. The record of the drugs administered shall accompany the opened kit when exchanged. An accurate record shall be maintained by the pharmacy on the exchange of the drug kit for a period of one year. A pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or nurse shall reconcile the Schedule II, III, IV, or V drugs in the kit at the time the opened kit is returned. A record of the reconciliation, to include any noted discrepancies, shall be maintained by the pharmacy for a period of two years from the time of exchange. The theft or any other unusual loss of any Schedule II, III, IV, or V controlled substance shall be reported in accordance with § 54.1-3404 of the Code of Virginia.
5. Accurate records of the following shall be maintained by the pharmacy on the exchange of the drug kit for a period of one year:
a. The record of filling and verifying the kit to include the drug contents of the kit, the initials of the pharmacist verifying the contents, the date of verification, a record of an identifier if a seal is used, and the assigned expiration date for the kit, which shall be no later than the expiration date associated with the first drug or device scheduled to expire.
b. The record of the exchange of the kit to include the date of exchange and the name of EMS agency and EMS provider receiving the kit.
6. Destruction of partially used Schedules II, III, IV, and V drugs shall be accomplished by two persons, one of whom shall be the EMS provider and the other shall be a pharmacist, nurse, prescriber, pharmacy technician, or a second EMS provider. Documentation shall be maintained in the pharmacy for a period of two years from the date of destruction.
7. The record of the drugs and devices administered shall be maintained as a part of the pharmacy records pursuant to state and federal regulations for a period of not less than two years.
8. Intravenous and irrigation solutions provided by a hospital pharmacy to an emergency medical services agency may be stored separately outside the kit.
9. Any drug or device showing evidence of damage or tampering shall be immediately removed from the kit and replaced.
10. In lieu of exchange by the hospital pharmacy, the PIC of the hospital pharmacy may authorize the exchange of the kit by the emergency department. Exchange of the kit in the emergency department shall only be performed by a pharmacist, nurse, or prescriber if the kit contents include Schedule II, III, IV, or V drugs.
B. A licensed EMS agency may obtain a controlled substances registration pursuant to § 54.1-3423 D of the Code of Virginia for the purpose of performing a one-to-one exchange of Schedule VI drugs or devices.
1. The controlled substances registration may be issued to a single agency or to multiple agencies within a single jurisdiction.
2. The controlled substances registration issued solely for this intended purpose does not authorize the storage of drugs within the agency facility.
3. Pursuant to § 54.1-3434.02 of the Code of Virginia, the EMS provider may directly obtain Schedule VI drugs and devices from an automated drug dispensing device.
4. If such drugs or devices are obtained from a nurse, pharmacist, or prescriber, it shall be in accordance with the procedures established by the pharmacist-in-charge, which shall include a requirement to record the date of exchange, name of licensed person providing drug or device, name of the EMS agency and provider receiving the drug or device, and assigned expiration date. Such record shall be maintained by the pharmacy for one year from the date of exchange.
5. If an EMS agency is performing a one-to-one exchange of Schedule VI drugs or devices, Schedule II, III, IV, or V drugs shall remain in a separate, sealed container and shall only be exchanged in accordance with provisions of subsection A of this section.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3307 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR530-01-1 § 10.8, eff. October 25, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 4, eff. December 16, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 1, eff. November 4, 1993; Volume 11, Issue 21, eff. August 9, 1995; Volume 15, Issue 8, eff. February 3, 1999; Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004; Volume 25, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2009; Volume 29, Issue 26, eff. September 25, 2013; Volume 31, Issue 20, eff. July 16, 2015; Volume 39, Issue 6, eff. December 7, 2022.
18VAC110-20-505. Use of radio-frequency identification.
A hospital pharmacy may use radio-frequency identification (RFID) to verify the accuracy of drugs placed into a kit for licensed emergency medical services pursuant to 18VAC110-20-500 or other kits used as floor stock throughout the hospital under the following conditions:
1. A pharmacist shall be responsible for performing and verifying the accuracy of the following tasks:
a. The addition, modification, or deletion of drug information into the RFID database for assignment of a RFID tag to an individual drug; and
b. The development of the contents of the kit in the RFID database and the associated drug-specific RFID tags.
2. A pharmacy technician may place the RFID tag on the drugs, and a pharmacist shall verify that all drugs have been accurately tagged prior to storing the drugs in the pharmacy's inventory.
3. A pharmacy technician may remove RFID-tagged drugs from the pharmacy's inventory whose RFID tags have been previously verified for accuracy by a pharmacist and place the drugs into the kit's container. A pharmacy technician may then place the container into the pharmacy's device that reads the RFID tags to verify if the correct drugs have been placed into the container as compared to the list of the kit's contents in the RFID database.
4. A pharmacist shall perform a daily random check for verification of the accuracy of 5.0% of all kits prepared that day utilizing the RFID technology. A manual or electronic record from which information can be readily retrieved, shall be maintained that includes:
a. The date of verification;
b. A description of all discrepancies identified, if any; and
c. The initials of pharmacist verifying the accuracy of the process.
5. Pharmacies engaged in RFID tagging of drugs shall be exempt from the requirements in subsection C of 18VAC110-20-490, subsection A of 18VAC110-20-460, and subsection A of 18VAC110-20-355.
6. All records required by this subsection shall be maintained for a period of one year from the date of verification by the pharmacist.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3307 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 6, eff. December 7, 2022.
18VAC110-20-510. Identification for medical intern or resident prescription form in hospitals.
The prescription form for the prescribing of drugs for use by medical interns or residents who prescribe only in a hospital shall bear the prescriber's signature, the legibly printed name, address, and telephone number of the prescriber and an identification number assigned by the hospital. The identification number shall be the Drug Enforcement Administration number assigned to the hospital pharmacy plus a suffix assigned by the institution. The assigned number shall be valid only within the course of duties as part of the residency program.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-103 and 54.1-2400 and Chapters 33 (§ 54.1-3300 et seq.) and 34 (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR530-01-1 § 10.9, eff. October 25, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 4, eff. December 16, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 1, eff. November 4, 1993; Volume 11, Issue 21, eff. August 9, 1995; Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004.
18VAC110-20-515. Remote prescription order processing for hospitals and long-term care facilities.
A. Remote processing of a prescription does not include the dispensing of a drug, but does include any of the following activities related to the dispensing process:
1. Receiving, interpreting, analyzing, or clarifying prescriptions;
2. Entering prescription and patient data into a data processing system;
3. Transferring prescription information;
4. Performing a prospective drug review to include an evaluation of a prescription order and patient records for over- or under-utilization of medication, therapeutic duplication of medication, drug disease contraindications, drug interactions, incorrect drug dosage or duration of drug treatment, or clinical abuse or misuse of medication;
5. Obtaining substitution authorizations, or otherwise communicating with the prescriber concerning a patient's order;
6. Interpreting or acting on clinical data;
7. Performing therapeutic interventions;
8. Providing drug information to the medical or nursing staff of the hospital or long-term care facility; or
9. Authorizing the administration of the drug to the patient by appropriate hospital or long-term care facility staff.
B. The primary pharmacy providing pharmacy services to a hospital or long-term care facility may outsource certain order processing functions as described in subsection A of this section to another pharmacy in Virginia or a registered nonresident pharmacy under the following conditions:
1. The pharmacies shall either have the same owner or have a written contract describing the scope of services to be provided and the responsibilities and accountabilities of each pharmacy in compliance with all federal and state laws and regulations related to the practice of pharmacy;
2. Any central or remote pharmacy shall comply with Virginia law and regulation with respect to requirements for supervision of pharmacy technicians and the duties that are restricted to pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Pharmacy technicians at the remote pharmacy shall either be registered in Virginia or possess credentials substantially equivalent to those required for a technician registered in Virginia;
3. Any pharmacist participating in remote prescription order processing shall be a Virginia licensed pharmacist; and
4. The pharmacies shall share a common electronic file or have technology that allows sufficient information necessary to process a prescription order.
C. A policy and procedure manual that relates to remote processing shall be maintained at each pharmacy involved in the processing of a prescription and available for inspection. The manual shall at a minimum include the following:
1. The responsibilities of each pharmacy;
2. A list of the name, address, telephone numbers, and permit/registration numbers of all pharmacies involved in remote processing;
3. Procedures for protecting the confidentiality and integrity of patient information;
4. Procedures for ensuring that pharmacists performing prospective drug reviews have access to appropriate drug information resources;
5. Procedures for maintaining required records;
6. Procedures for complying with all applicable laws and regulations;
7. Procedures for objectively and systematically monitoring and evaluating the quality of the program to resolve problems and improve services; and
8. Procedures for annually reviewing the written policies and procedures for needed modifications and documenting such review.
D. A pharmacy involved in remote prescription order processing shall maintain a record that identifies each person who performed a processing function for every order.
1. The record shall be available by prescription order or by patient name.
2. The record may be maintained in a common electronic file if the record is maintained in such a manner that the data processing system can produce a printout that identifies every person who performed a task involved in processing a prescription order and the location where the task was processed.
3. The record shall be readily retrievable for at least the past two years through the primary dispensing pharmacy, and shall be available for inspection by the board.
E. Nothing in this section shall prohibit an individual employee licensed as a pharmacist in Virginia from accessing the employer pharmacy's database from a remote location for the purpose of performing certain prescription processing functions as described in subsection A of this section provided the pharmacy establishes controls to protect the privacy and security of confidential records.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3307 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 21, Issue 24, eff. September 7, 2005.