VA Dispensing Flashcards
Are there special requirements for delivering prescriptions by mail or other delivery services?
Yes. They must include a notice that the med can degrade along with a phone number patients can call to get information about drug degradation.
What entities have to have a controlled substance registration?
Anyone who manufacturers, distributes or dispenses Schedule I-V medications and is not a permitted pharmacy or licensed pharmacist.
What form is sent to the DEA for registration of the pharmacy? Do you also have to apply to the VA BOP?
DEA 224 form; get the state registration first then apply for a controlled substance registration through the DEA w/224 form
Can one entity be required to have more than one controlled substance registration?
Yes, a separate registration is required for each principal place of business where the activity takes place
How often must your controlled substance registration be renewed?
every 3 years
Does a chain pharmacy need to re-register every individual pharmacy separately for controlled substance registration?
No. The owner may use Form 224b, the Retail Pharmacy Registration Affidavit for Chain Renewal and provide a list of pharmacies whose registrations are being renewed.
What information goes on the permit application to operate a pharmacy?
The corporate name and trade name, the pharmacist who will be practicing at that location, and the hours during which the pharmacy will be open.
If the pharmacy wants to change its hours of operation are there requirements?
Yes. Any change that is going to be longer than one week must be reported to the BOP in writing and posted conspicuously at least 14 days prior to the change.
What happens with the PIC leaves the pharmacy and what does the new PIC have to do?
Out-going PIC must immediately surrender his permit to the board, in-coming PIC must obtain a new permit and make an inventory of all schedule I-V drugs. Out-going PIC doesn’t have to take an inventory but it is recommended.
What is the notice requirement prior to closing a pharmacy for more than one week?
The owner has to post a notice at least 30 days prior to the closing or mail a notice 14 days prior to the closing to all customers with refills. The notice must include the name of the pharmacy to which the prescriptions are being transferred to.
Who is responsible for the automated dispensing systems in the hospital?
PIC
Do drugs in the automated dispensing system have to be in manufacturer sealed original packaging or unit dose containers?
Yes, except multi-dose packaging for oral medication is allowed if approved by the PIC after consultation with the hospital committee.
What are the requirements for a continuous quality improvement program?
Each pharmacy must have a program that provides a systemic and ongoing process to analyze of dispensing errors. The pharmacy must use that to come up with responses to improve pharmacy systems and procedures to reduce or prevent future errors.
Are pharmacies outside of VA that ship, mail or deliver Schedule II-Schedule VI drugs or devices into the Commonwealth required to register with the BOP?
Yes, they have to register and must have a PIC who has a VA license.
Are VA pharmacies allowed to engage in wholesale distribution of prescription drugs without being licensed as Wholesale Distributors?
Yes as long as distributions do not exceed 5% of their annual gross sales of prescription drugs or 5% of the total dosage units dispensed annually.
What is adulteration?
When the drug doesn’t meet the quality or purity requirements for the medicine. This likely occurs when:
- It contains dirty or decomposed substance
- It was made or stored under unsanitary conditions
- It was not manufactured using current good manufacturing practice.
- It contains a poisonous or deleterious substance
- It claims to be a drug which is recognized in an official compendium but doesn’t meet the standards, such as strength for that product
What is misbranded?
When the drug’s label is false or misleading, doesn’t contain all the information required by law, is a non-prescription medication that doesn’t contain adequate directions for use by a layperson.
What are the specific labeling requirements for dispensed prescriptions?
- Name and address of pharmacy
- Prescription number or serial number
- Date dispensed
- name of the prescriber
- name of the patient
- drug name and strength
- directions for use and cautionary statements
- the number of dosage units dispensed
Which drugs will need to include the words “CAUTION: Federal law prohibits the transfer of this drug to any person other than the person for whom it was prescribed.” on the label?
Schedule II, III, or IV
What additional information needs to be on the label for a prescription that was filled at a central fill pharmacy?
A unique identifier (such as the central fill pharmacy’s DEA registration number) indicating that the prescription was filled at the central fill pharmacy.
What if the labeling on a drug says the drug is a specific medicine and the medicine in the container is not that drug?
It is both misbranded and adulterated.
What are controlled paraphernalia?
Syringes, needles or other instruments used to administer drugs by injection and gelatin capsules, glassine envelopes and other containers for packaging individual quantities of controlled drugs
Who is allowed to distribute needles, syringes, gelatin capsules, quinine or any of its salts?
A pharmacist or someone with a license or permit from the Board.
What are the requirements when a pharmacist dispenses syringes, needles, gelatin capsules or quinine? What record of dispensing is required?
- Require the person requesting to provide ID including proof of age
- Provide a written legitimate purpose for use of the product
Record required: - date of dispensing
- name and quantity of the product
- the price of the product
- name and address of the purchaser
- reason for the purchase
- pharmD initials
Are pharmacies required to have security systems in VA?
yes; they must fully protect the prescription department and be capable of detecting all kinds of break-ins
What are the requirements for an alarm system? Who has access to the codes? When does the system have to be activated?
- it has to be monitored
- It has to have a battery or other backup source of power
- it must be capable of sending an alarm even when the communication line isn’t working
Only pharmacists employed by the pharmacy has access (except for emergencies). Must be activated whenever the prescription department is closed.
What if emergency access to the pharmacy is needed?
The PIC may place a key and the alarm code in a sealed envelope so that other pharmacy staff can get into the pharmacy in an emergency. The envelope must have the pharmacist signature across the seal and be kept in a safe or vault.
Are interns and techs allowed to possess the key and alarm code?
No. They are only allowed access when the pharmacist is on duty.
What if a pharmacist has an emergency and is unable to open the pharmacy as schedule, cannot get alternate coverage, and a patient needs an already filled prescription?
A tech or member of the pharmacy’s management may enter the pharmacy to retrieve the prescription if a pharmacist has verbally approved the access.
After an emergency entry to the pharmacy (by someone other than a pharmacist), what information must be recorded:
- the date and time of entry
- the name and signature of the pharmacy tech
- the name, title and signature of the manager accompanying the tech
- the pharmacist name who granted permission and the telephone number where he was reached
- the name of the patient who requested the medication and a description of the emergency
- a list of all prescriptions retrieved during the entry
- Time of exit and re-securing of the prescription department
The PIC must change the alarm code within 48 hours of this documentation
For how long do records of tech entry to the pharmacy in an emergency have to be maintained?
For one year
Can a pharmacy store prescriptions awaiting pickup outside the prescription department?
Yes if the pharmacist approves it. The prescriptions awaiting pickup must be stored securely.
Is a log required for prescriptions picked up when the pharmacist is not on duty?
Yes. It must include the patient’s name, prescription number, date of delivery, and signature of the person receiving the prescription.
How long must the pharmacy keep a record of prescription pick-up when the pharmacist is not on duty?
one year
How should the pharmacy store CII drugs within the prescription department?
They can be stored in a locked location, like a safe, or they can be dispersed throughout the pharmacy.
Does a safe for CII drugs have to be locked at all times?
It does not need to be locked when the pharmacy is open and a pharmacist is on duty.
What are the requirements if a pharmacy wants to destroy of drugs itself?
It must notify the Board in writing at least 14 days prior to the destruction.
Notification must contain:
1. date, time, manner and place of destruction
2. name of the pharmacists who will witness the destruction
Destruction must be done with the PIC and a pharmacist not employed by the pharmacy.
What form is used as a record of the destruction of drugs and for how long must it be maintained?
DEA Form 41; 2 years
How does a pharmacy have to maintain its inventory and drug records?
Schedule I & II records have to be separate from all other records