Pharmacy Practice

Question 1

Does the state recognize pharmacists as providers for reimbursement purposes?

Answer 1

No

Question 2

What actions are pharmacists allowed to perform under a collaborative practice agreement (e.g., initiate, modify, monitor medications)?

Answer 2

Initiate, modify and discontinue drug therapy

Question 3

Are there any restrictions on what diseases a pharmacist can manage under a collaborative practice agreement?

Answer 3

No

Question 4

Is every pharmacy required to have a pharmacist-in-charge?

Answer 4

Yes

Question 5

How many pharmacies can a pharmacist serve as the pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) for at one time?

Answer 5

Limit is not specified but the pharmacist-in-charge must work an average of at least 8 hours per week at each location

Question 6

What is the minimum number of hours the pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) must be present at the pharmacy?

Answer 6

At least 8 hours per week at each location where he or she is the pharmacist-in-charge

Question 7

What activities are interns permitted to perform (e.g., counseling, compounding, final verification, taking verbal prescriptions)?

Answer 7

A student pharmacist can assist in the practice of pharmacy and perform any and all functions delegated by the pharmacist.

Question 8

Can technicians accept new prescriptions over the phone?

Answer 8

Yes

Question 9

Is tech-check-tech permitted?

Answer 9

No

Question 10

What activities can a clerk perform (e.g., cashier functions, receive refills, put a bottle of medication on the shelf)?

Answer 10

Cashier functions

Question 11

What are the limits on prescribing controlled or non-controlled drugs to oneself or family members?

Answer 11

• Self-prescribing of controlled substances is prohibited.
• A practitioner cannot prescribe controlled substances to an immediate family member unless there is a bona fide relationship and appropriate records are maintained for all treatment.

Question 12

Can new prescriptions or refills be filled if the prescriber is known to be deceased or retired?

Answer 12

The board does not specify if it is acceptable to fill or refill a prescription if the prescriber is known to be retired or deceased.

Question 13

Can pharmacists fill prescriptions written by prescribers in other countries?

Answer 13

The board does not specify if it is acceptable to fill prescriptions written by prescribers of another country.

Question 14

How many years must prescription records be kept?

Answer 14

5 years

Question 15

Within what time frame from the issue date are non-controlled prescriptions permitted to be refilled?

Answer 15

15 months

Question 16

Is there a maximum number of refills permitted for non-controlled drugs?

Answer 16

No

Question 17

What is the maximum days’ supply that can be dispensed for an emergency refill of non-controlled drugs without prescriber authorization?

Answer 17

• Must be limited to the amount needed for the emergency period as determined by the pharmacist within his or her professional judgement.
• The total dispensed shall not exceed a 30-day supply.

Question 18

What are the additional restrictions when dispensing an emergency refill of non-controlled drugs without prescriber authorization (e.g., time period to receive a prescription, notification of the prescriber)?

Answer 18

• Notify patient that prescriber authorization is required for future refills
• Emergency dispensing is documented in the patient’s prescription record and the pharmacist informs the prescriber of the emergency refill.

Question 19

What information is required to be on a prescription container label?

Answer 19

1. Patient’s name
2. Medication name, dosage, quantity and directions for use
3. Prescriber’s last name
4. Dispensing pharmacist’s name or initials
5. Name and address of dispenser
6. Serial or prescription number
7. Date of filling
8. Cautionary statements (e.g., the required statement for controlled drugs prohibiting transfer to any person other than the patient)

Question 20

Is it required to provide a larger type size on the container label for patients with visual impairment?

Answer 20

No

Question 21

Are patient profiles required to be kept in the pharmacy for all patients (e.g., a traveling patient on vacation getting a one-time fill)?

Answer 21

Yes

Question 22

How long must patient profiles be kept after the last fill?

Answer 22

5 years

Question 23

What is required to be in a patient profile?

Answer 23

• Name, date of birth (age), gender, address and telephone number
• Individual history, when significant, including disease state, known allergies, drug interactions and a comprehensive list of medications and relevant devices
• Pharmacist’s comments relevant to the individual’s therapy

Question 24

Is patient identification required to dispense non-controlled drugs in the community pharmacy setting?

Answer 24

No

Question 25

Is the offer to counsel required for all prescriptions?

Answer 25

Yes

Question 26

Who can provide the offer to counsel (e.g., pharmacist, intern or technician)?

Answer 26

Any registrant under the Illinois Pharmacy Practice Act

Question 27

What are the counseling requirements for medications delivered to the patient or sent by mail?

Answer 27

• When oral counseling is not feasible, the pharmacist may be contacted for consultation in person at the pharmacy or by toll-free or collect telephone service.
• Must make available printed signs provided by the Division containing a statement that every patient has the right to counseling and the Division’s consumer hotline number, and information on how to file a complaint for failure to counsel.

Question 28

Are pharmacies required to provide translation services to limited-English proficient (LEP) patients?

Answer 28

No

Question 29

What are the requirements for generic substitution (e.g., must notify the patient)?

Answer 29

Patient consent is required for substitution of antiepileptics.

Question 30

Are preprinted or rubber-stamped marks an acceptable way to denote “May Not Substitute”?

Answer 30

No

Question 31

What resource/s can be used to select a suitable substitution (e.g., Orange Book, state formulary)?

Answer 31

The Orange Book

Question 32

What actions can be taken by the prescriber or patient to prevent generic interchange?

Answer 32

The patient can refuse the substitution or the prescriber can indicate “Do Not Substitute” or “May Not Substitute” on the prescription.

Question 33

What documentation is required when a generic substitution occurs?

Answer 33

• Documentation is needed if a prescriber indicates “May Not Substitute” and the pharmacist is recommending an interchange.
• Written notice of the interchange will need to be shared with the patient no later than the time the prescription is dispensed.

Question 34

What drugs (e.g., narrow therapeutic index) are not permitted to be substituted?

Answer 34

Anti-seizure/anti-epileptic medications

If a prescriber indicates “Do Not Substitute” on an antiepileptic, a pharmacist may not interchange the drug or formulation without notification and documented consent of the prescribing physician and patient.

Question 35

Does the state have a conscience clause (if so, what are the stipulations of the clause)?

Answer 35

Yes.

No physician or health care personnel shall be civilly or criminally liable to any person, estate, public or private entity or public official by reason of his or her refusal to perform, assist, counsel, suggest, recommend, refer or participate in any way in any particular form of health care service which is contrary to the conscience of such physician or health care personnel.

Question 36

Does the state have death with dignity laws?

Answer 36

No