480-10-.12 Minimum Equipment for Prescription Departments

(1) No pharmacy licensed in accordance with O.C.G.A. T. 26, Ch. 4, shall engage in the practice of filling, compounding or dispensing prescriptions unless it shall possess the following items:

(a) Copies of and/or computer or electronic access to current reference materials appropriate to the individual pharmacy practice. These reference materials shall be authoritative on at least the topics of drug interactions; patient counseling; compounding and pharmaceutical calculations; and generic substitution.

(b) The telephone number of a poison control center. This number shall be conspicuously posted within the prescription department.

(c) Current copies of and/or computer or electronic access to the following:

1. Georgia Pharmacy Practice Act, O.C.G.A. T. 26, Ch. 4;

2. Georgia Controlled Substances Act & Dangerous Drug Act, O.C.G.A. T. 16, Ch. 13; and

3. Official Rules of the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy.

(d) Equipment (appliances):

1. Refrigerator in operating condition with a thermometer; and

2. Sink in working condition with both hot and cold running water.

(e) Weighing and labeling:

1. If compounding onsite using components which must be weighed, Class A Balance with an assortment of metric weights or a Class I or II Electronic Balance;

2. Appropriate prescription labels consistent with the requirements of the Georgia Drug and Cosmetic Act, O.C.G.A. Title 26, Chapter 3; and

3. Appropriate auxiliary labels that should be used in the pharmacist's professional judgment.

(f) Other equipment:

1. Graduates of assorted sizes;

2. Two mortars and pestles of assorted sizes;

3. Two spatulas;

4. One pill counting tray;

5. Ointment slab, tile or ointment paper pad;

6. Stirring rods;

7. Typewriter, word processor or computer with label-printer; and

8. Any other equipment necessary for a specialized practice setting where such a specialized practice takes place.

(g) Adequate supply of drugs most commonly prescribed (ONLY to be on hand after a permit has been issued by the Board).

(h) Assorted sizes and types of child-resistant dispensing containers.

(2) The pharmacist-in-charge of a facility may submit to the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy a typed request for a variance to these provisions relating to minimum equipment requirements. Stated reasons for application for variances must be included in submitted request. A variance may be granted by the Board only when, in the judgment of the Board, there are sound reasons for doing so which relate to the necessary or efficient delivery of health care.

(a) Any variance granted by the Board must be in writing, and this variance must be posted in the pharmacy next to the current Board issued permit/renewal certificate.

Cite as GA Regs. 480-10-.12

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 16-3-16, 26-3-8, 26-4-27, 26-4-28, 26-4-110, 50-13-9.1.

History. Original Rule entitled "Minimum Equipment for Prescription Department" adopted. F. Oct. 6, 1970; eff. Oct. 26, 1970.

Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Sept. 7, 1993; eff. Sept. 27, 1993.

Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Mar. 5, 2003; eff. Mar. 25, 2003.

Amended: F. Apr. 20, 2021; eff. May 10, 2021.