Pharmacy Operations Flashcards
What are the requirements to become a Licensed Pharmacist?
NEW GRAD:
1) Screening (Background Check, Fingerprints)
2) Internship Hours
3) Graduating
4) Passing NAPLEX and MPJE
FOREIGN-TRAINED PHARMACIST:
1)FPGEC and TOEFL
2) Internship hours
You can obtain licensure by NAPLEX SCORE TRANSFER:
-Offered by NABP
-Must be requested within 89 days after taking NAPLEX
-Individual state specifies how long a passing score is valid
RECIPROCITY:
-Transfer existing license to another state
-Often requires one year of practice experience and other state-specific requirements
Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE)
Boards of pharmacy grant a license that certifies a minimum skill level, and a certain number of CE hours must be completed within each license renewal cycle to maintain competency.
Pharmacist participate in live or correspondence CPE .
An active license is required. Reactivating an inactive license may require: retaking exams, becoming current with CPE and paying fees
Speciality Pharmacist
Speciality pharmacist licenses may be offered at the state level:
-Nuclear pharmacist
-Consultant pharmacist
-Mid-level practitioner with prescriptive authority
Additional requirements:
-Course work
-Supervised practice
-BPS certification
Pharmacy Technician
Registration:
->18 y.o.
-High school diploma
-Background check
Licensure:
-Work experience
-Examination
-Education/training program
Certification:
-Techs perform more complex activities such as Med hx, receive rx, transfer rx
Pharmacy Technician Certification Exams
1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
2) National Health-career Association (NHA)
CE is required to maintain certification.
Common Causes of Disciplinary Actions against Pharmacy Staff
Pharmacy Staff: Pharmacist, Interns, Technicians
Common Causes:
1) Impairment - Reporting to work under the influence of drugs or alcohol
2) Drug Theft - Stealing from stock
3) Drug Diversion - Stealing from patient supply
4) Violating federal, state or local pharmacy laws
5) Being convicted of a felony
6) Committing practice-related fraud
7) Unprofessional conduct
8) Falsifying pharmacy documents
9) Interfering with a licensing exam
10) Assisting or allowing non-licensed personnel to practice
11) Illegally sharing PHI aka. HIPAA violation
12) Failing to report certain information to the BOP
Actions against the Pharmacist License
1) Probation
-License restricted for a specified time
-Pharmacist can still practice while on Probation
- E.g. Practicing under the supervision of another RPh for 6 months
2) Suspension
-License inactivated; may be reinstated if conditions met
-Pharmacist cannot practice
-E.g. License suspended for 2 years
3) Revocation
-License taken away indefinitely (usually permanently)
-Pharmacist cannot practice
-E.g. RPh loses license for insurance fraud
4) Surrender
-License voluntarily given up, usually forced
-Pharmacist cannot practice
-E.g. RPh enters treatment program for substance use
Reporting Employees
-Employees should report any coworker who is known or suspected to be impaired (mentally, physically).
-Reporting is confidential to the state board of pharmacy
-Failure to report an impaired colleague may result in disciplinary action against you. E.g. any person working with an impaired pharmacist may face disciplinary action if they do not report.
What is needed to open a pharmacy?
Goal: Obtain a License
1) Pharmacy Physical Address
2) Pharmacy Classification (hospital, community)
3) Pharmacist-in-charge name and license number
4) Application fee
5) Pharmacy NPI number
*Each state has different permit requirements based on the type of pharmacy
When are Pharmacy Inspections done?
1) Initial Licensure
2) Periodic Inspections (May be annually or bi-annually or following license renewal cycle)
Pharmacies are inspected to ensure up-to-date:
-Record-keeping systems
-Controlled Substances compliance
-Refrigerator temperature logs
What are Out-of-State Facilities?
-Distributors
-Manufacturers/Repackagers
-Pharmacies
-Third-party logistics providers
-Wholesalers
*These must obtain licensure in each state in which they conduct business or where the patient is residing
What if the Pharmacy wants to dispense a Controlled Substance?
The pharmacy would have to register with the DEA in order to:
-Manufacture
-Distribute
-Prescribe
-Order/Dispense
Can facilities be disciplined?
Yes
Along with pharmacy personnel, all license holders including businesses can face disciplinary actions. This includes wholesalers, manufacturers, repackagers, distributors, pharmacies and third-party logistics providers.
What are Mail-Order Pharmacies?
-Dispense larger supply of mediations
-Deliver directly to patient’s home
-Facility and/or pharmacists may require licensure in multiple states
-Inspection requirements may vary
What are Out-of-State Pharmacies?
A.k.a Non-resident pharmacy
These provide centralized or shared services for another pharmacy. This means that patients may take their prescription to a local pharmacy and that pharmacy then outsources certain parts of the process to a centralized pharmacy that may be located out-of-state.
The pharmacy may provide:
1) Dispensing or processing claims
2) Perform DUR
3) Obtain refill authorizations
4) Make therapeutic interventions
It is generally required for each pharmacy to be licensed in both states. Also, it may be required that pharmacies using shared services, have the same owner, have a contract outlining the responsibilities of each pharmacy and also have shared electronic databases.
What is a Specialty Pharmacy?
These dispense speciality medications.
-Treat complex diseases
-Require greater patient education/monitoring
-REMS
-High cost and complex reimbursement processes
What is the Space Requirements for a Pharmacy?
Any area/pharmacy which stores and distributes prescription drugs, should comply with the standards set by USP.
-Minimum square footage for facility or workspace
-Keep pharmacy clean and orderly
-Restricted access and inventory controls to identify theft and diversion
-Display or have licenses readily available
Pharmacy Security
Any pharmacist on duty is responsible for the overall security of the pharmacy at that time. This includes both the security of the pharmacy and confidential records.
One way to ensure this is to limit the access to the pharmacy to only pharmacy personnel.
Pharmacy Signage and Advertising
-States usually allow advertising drug prices and compounding specific medications
-Most states also require posting about hours, pharmacist absence, right to counseling or interpreter services.
Renaming, Relocating or Closing a Pharmacy
If there is a name change, pharmacy closure, relocation or change in the Pharmacist-in-charge, you must notify the Board of Pharmacy & DEA would also need notification, since the Controlled Substances would also be changing locations.
Do pharmacies need to maintain Patient Profile records?
YES
Name, Address, Telephone number
Gender, DOB/Age
Current, previous medications
Allergies, Conditions, Social History
What is needed on a Dispensing Record?
-Prescription Number
-Drug Name, Qty and Manufacturer dispensed
-Dispensing Pharmacist name or initials
-Date filled/refilled and number of refills remaining
What information is needed on a Purchase Receipt?
-Invoices
-Transaction Information
-Transaction History
-Transaction statement
This is needed for all drugs received by the pharmacy. This is mandated by the Drugs supply chain and security act.