The Pharmacy Space

Question 1

Who can enter the pharmacy at any time for inspection?

Answer 1

BOP, department of education, employees designated by the commissioner, the DEA

Question 2

Who has to be there when the pharmacy is open and operating?

Answer 2

The RPh!

Question 3

Minimum square footage of a pharmacy

Answer 3

300 square feet, at least 100 of it has to be dedicated to manufacturing, compounding, dispensing

Question 4

Walls of a pharmacy

Answer 4

At least 9’6” high, or floor to ceiling

Question 5

How to store controlled scripts

Answer 5

File C2s separately, then C3s-5s, then non-controls

Question 6

Drug storage requirements

Answer 6

Adequate heating and ventilation to safeguard purity and potency of drugs

Question 7

How to store controls

Answer 7

Can be put behind a locked cabinet or evenly dispersed throughout the regular pharmacy shelves in a community pharmacy (just don’t put them all next to each other on the shelf)

Question 8

How long do you have to keep hard copies for?

Answer 8

5 years, keep on the premises

Question 9

Drug retail price list: what is it and how often does it have to be updated?

Answer 9

List of the top 150 drugs created by the BOP annually; pharmacies are required to create and update a drug retail price list of the top 150 drugs sold weekly and provide it upon request

Question 10

Language Assistance Services Signage

Answer 10

Has to have a sign for 8 languages (English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, French-Creole, Korean, Italian, Polish) that says “Point to your language. Language assistance will be provided at no cost to you.”

Question 11

When do you notify the board of change in ownership?

Answer 11

Within 30 days, also applies to change in officers of corporation or in stockholders holding 10% or more in the corporation

Question 12

When do you notify the board of a change to the PIC?

Answer 12

7 days

Question 13

When do you notify the board of a change to address?

Answer 13

Within 30 days of relocating the pharmacy

Question 14

Type of prescription balance required

Answer 14

Class A balance (6mg) and metric weights PRN

Question 15

Other equipment required

Answer 15

Devices capable of measuring volumes from 0.1ml to 500ml
Mortar and pestle
Fridge with a thermometer and providing a storage temperature of 36-46 degrees F
Copy of laws, rules, and regulations of pharmacy practice in NYS
Hot and cold running water

Question 16

Does the RPh have to be on site for access to the pharmacy?

Answer 16

YES