Rule 480-36-0.36-.08 Remote Order Verification for Retail Pharmacy Permits

(1) As a response to the current state of emergency as declared by the Governor, the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy finds the potential for imminent peril to the public health, safety, or welfare of Georgia citizens. This emergency rule shall go into effect based on O.C.G.A. 50-13-4(b) and shall be effective for the duration of the emergency or a period of not more than 120 days, whichever is shorter. During the time this rule is effective, it shall replace Georgia State Board of Pharmacy Rule 480-36.

(2) Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms:

(a) "Board" shall mean the Georgia Board of Pharmacy.

(b) "Remote prescription drug order processing" shall mean the processing of prescription or patient information from a location other than the location from which the prescription medication is received and dispensed. It shall not include the dispensing of a drug, but may include:

1. Receiving the prescription order from the primary dispensing pharmacy

2. Interpreting, analyzing, or clarifying prescriptions;

3. Entering prescription or patient data into a data processing system;

4. Transferring prescription information;

5. Performing a drug regimen review;

6. Performing a drug allergy review;

7. Performing therapeutic interventions; or

8. Any combination of these order processing functions.

(c) Primary dispensing pharmacy. A primary dispensing pharmacy shall be defined as the retail pharmacy located in this State from which a prescription is physically received and dispensed to the patient or the patient's caregiver.

(d) Secondary remote entry pharmacist. A secondary remote entry pharmacist shall be defined as pharmacist who performs remote prescription drug order processing but does not dispense the medication to the patient or the patient's caregiver. There shall only be one secondary pharmacist to assist the primary dispensing pharmacy with remote prescription drug order processing per prescription.

(3) Policy and Procedures. The primary dispensing pharmacy shall have written policies and procedures regarding remote prescription drug order processing that are available for inspection by the Board or its representative. The policy shall at a minimum include the following:

(a) The responsibilities of the primary dispensing pharmacy and the secondary remote entry pharmacist;

(b) Procedures for protecting the confidentiality and integrity of patient information;

(c) Procedures for ensuring that pharmacists performing prospective drug reviews have access to appropriate drug information resources;

(d) Procedures for maintaining required records;

(e) Procedures for complying with all applicable laws and regulations to include counseling.

(4) Record Keeping.

(a) The primary dispensing pharmacy and the secondary remote entry pharmacist shall share a common electronic file or have technology which allows sufficient information necessary to process a non-dispensing function.

(b) In addition to any other required records, the primary dispensing pharmacy and the secondary remote entry pharmacist shall maintain retrievable records which show, for each prescription remotely processed, each individual processing function and identity of the person who performs a processing function and the pharmacist who checked the processing function.

(c) The record keeping required by this rule is in addition to the record keeping required under Rule Chapter 480-10 and any other Board rules and state and federal laws.

(5) Patient Counseling. It shall be the responsibility of the pharmacist on duty at the primary dispensing pharmacy to perform patient counseling of all prescriptions, as required, including those assisted by remote processing.

Authority O.C.G.A. § 50-13-4(b)