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TITLE 22EXAMINING BOARDS
PART 15TEXAS STATE BOARD OF PHARMACY
CHAPTER 291PHARMACIES
SUBCHAPTER BCOMMUNITY PHARMACY (CLASS A)
RULE §291.33Operational Standards

  (5) Guidelines. It is the responsibility of the dispensing pharmacist when preparing a patient med-pak, to take into account any applicable compendial requirements or guidelines and the physical and chemical compatibility of the dosage forms placed within each container, as well as any therapeutic incompatibilities that may attend the simultaneous administration of the drugs.

  (6) Recordkeeping. In addition to any individual prescription filing requirements, a record of each patient med-pak shall be made and filed. Each record shall contain, as a minimum:

    (A) the name and address of the patient;

    (B) the unique identification number for the patient med-pak itself and a separate unique identification number for each of the prescription drug orders for each of the drug products contained therein;

    (C) the name of the manufacturer or distributor and lot number for each drug product contained therein;

    (D) information identifying or describing the design, characteristics, or specifications of the patient med-pak sufficient to allow subsequent preparation of an identical patient med-pak for the patient;

    (E) the date of preparation of the patient med-pak and the beyond-use date that was assigned;

    (F) any special labeling instructions; and

    (G) the initials or an identification code of the dispensing pharmacist.

  (7) The patient med-pak label is not required to include the initials or identification code of the dispensing pharmacist as specified in paragraph (2)(A) of this subsection if the identity of the dispensing pharmacist is recorded in the pharmacy's data processing system. The record of the identity of the dispensing pharmacist shall not be altered in the pharmacy's data processing system.

(i) Automated devices and systems in a pharmacy.

  (1) Automated counting devices. If a pharmacy uses automated counting devices:

    (A) the pharmacy shall have a method to calibrate and verify the accuracy of the automated counting device and document the calibration and verification on a routine basis;

    (B) the devices may be loaded with bulk drugs only by a pharmacist or by pharmacy technicians or pharmacy technician trainees under the direction and direct supervision of a pharmacist;

    (C) the label of an automated counting device container containing a bulk drug shall indicate the brand name and strength of the drug; or if no brand name, then the generic name, strength, and name of the manufacturer or distributor;

    (D) records of loading bulk drugs into an automated counting device shall be maintained to show:

      (i) name of the drug, strength, and dosage form;

      (ii) manufacturer or distributor;

      (iii) manufacturer's lot number;

      (iv) expiration date;

      (v) date of loading;

      (vi) name, initials, or electronic signature of the person loading the automated counting device; and

      (vii) name, initials, or electronic signature of the responsible pharmacist; and

    (E) the automated counting device shall not be used until a pharmacist verifies that the system is properly loaded and affixes his or her name, initials, or electronic signature to the record as specified in subparagraph (D) of this paragraph.

  (2) Automated pharmacy dispensing systems.

    (A) Authority to use automated pharmacy dispensing systems. A pharmacy may use an automated pharmacy dispensing system to fill prescription drug orders provided that:

      (i) the pharmacist-in-charge is responsible for the supervision of the operation of the system;

      (ii) the automated pharmacy dispensing system has been tested by the pharmacy and found to dispense accurately. The pharmacy shall make the results of such testing available to the board upon request; and

      (iii) the pharmacy will make the automated pharmacy dispensing system available for inspection by the board for the purpose of validating the accuracy of the system.

    (B) Automated pharmacy dispensing systems may be stocked or loaded by a pharmacist or by a pharmacy technician or pharmacy technician trainee under the supervision of a pharmacist.

    (C) Quality assurance program. A pharmacy which uses an automated pharmacy dispensing system to fill prescription drug orders shall operate according to a quality assurance program of the automated pharmacy dispensing system which:

      (i) requires continuous monitoring of the automated pharmacy dispensing system; and

      (ii) establishes mechanisms and procedures to test the accuracy of the automated pharmacy dispensing system at least every twelve months and whenever any upgrade or change is made to the system and documents each such activity.

    (D) Policies and procedures of operation.

      (i) When an automated pharmacy dispensing system is used to fill prescription drug orders, it shall be operated according to written policies and procedures of operation. The policies and procedures of operation shall:

        (I) provide for a pharmacist's review, approval, and accountability for the transmission of each original or new prescription drug order to the automated pharmacy dispensing system before the transmission is made;

        (II) provide for access to the automated pharmacy dispensing system for stocking and retrieval of medications which is limited to licensed healthcare professionals or pharmacy technicians acting under the supervision of a pharmacist;

        (III) require that a pharmacist checks, verifies, and documents that the correct medication and strength of bulk drugs, prepackaged containers, or manufacturer's unit of use packages were properly stocked, filled, and loaded in the automated pharmacy dispensing system prior to initiating the fill process; alternatively, an electronic verification system may be used for verification of manufacturer's unit of use packages or prepacked medication previously verified by a pharmacist;

        (IV) provide for an accountability record to be maintained that documents all transactions relative to stocking and removing medications from the automated pharmacy dispensing system;

        (V) require a prospective drug regimen review is conducted as specified in subsection (c)(2) of this section; and

        (VI) establish and make provisions for documentation of a preventative maintenance program for the automated pharmacy dispensing system.

      (ii) A pharmacy that uses an automated pharmacy dispensing system to fill prescription drug orders shall, at least annually, review its written policies and procedures, revise them if necessary, and document the review.

    (E) Recovery Plan. A pharmacy that uses an automated pharmacy dispensing system to fill prescription drug orders shall maintain a written plan for recovery from a disaster or any other situation which interrupts the ability of the automated pharmacy dispensing system to provide services necessary for the operation of the pharmacy. The written plan for recovery shall include:

      (i) planning and preparation for maintaining pharmacy services when an automated pharmacy dispensing system is experiencing downtime;

      (ii) procedures for response when an automated pharmacy dispensing system is experiencing downtime; and

      (iii) procedures for the maintenance and testing of the written plan for recovery.

    (F) Final check of prescriptions dispensed using an automated pharmacy dispensing system. For the purpose of §291.32(c)(2)(D) of this title (relating to Personnel), a pharmacist must perform the final check of all prescriptions prior to delivery to the patient to ensure that the prescription is dispensed accurately as prescribed.

      (i) This final check shall be considered accomplished if:

        (I) a check of the final product is conducted by a pharmacist after the automated pharmacy dispensing system has completed the prescription and prior to delivery to the patient; or

        (II) the following checks are conducted:

          (-a-) if the automated pharmacy dispensing system contains bulk stock drugs, a pharmacist verifies that those drugs have been accurately stocked as specified in subparagraph (D)(i)(III) of this paragraph;

          (-b-) if the automated pharmacy dispensing system contains manufacturer's unit of use packages or prepackaged medication previously verified by a pharmacist, an electronic verification system has confirmed that the medications have been accurately stocked as specified in subparagraph (D)(i)(III) of this paragraph;

          (-c-) a pharmacist checks the accuracy of the data entry of each original or new prescription drug order entered into the automated pharmacy dispensing system; and

Cont'd...

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