64B16-27.420: Pharmacy Technician 2:1 or 3:1 Ratio
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes the rule amendment to provide clarification of registered pharmacy technician responsibilities.
SUMMARY: Registered pharmacy technician responsibilities will be clarified.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared. The Board determined the proposed rule will not have an impact on small business.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 465.005, 465.014 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 465.014 FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Rebecca R. Poston, Executive Director, Board of Pharmacy, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C04, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3253
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:
(Substantial rewording of Rule 64B16-27.420 follows. See Florida Administrative Code for present text.)
64B16-27.420 Registered Pharmacy Technician Responsibilities Pharmacy Technician 2:1 or 3:1 Ratio.
(1) Registered pharmacy technicians may assist the pharmacist in performing the following tasks:
(a) Retrieval of prescription files, patient files and profiles and other such records pertaining to the practice of pharmacy;
(b) Data Entry;
(c) Label preparation;
(d) The counting, weighing, measuring, pouring and compounding of prescription medication or stock legend drugs and controlled substances, including the filling of an automated medication system;
(e) Initiate communication to a prescribing practitioner or their medical staffs (or agents) regarding patient prescription refill authorization requests. For the purposes of this section “prescription refill” means the dispensing of medications pursuant to a prescriber’s authorization provided on the original prescription;
(f) Initiate communication to confirm the patient’s name, medication, strength, quantity, directions and date of last refill;
(g) Initiate communication to a prescribing practitioner or their medical staff (or agents) to obtain clarification on missing or illegible dates, prescriber name, brand/generic preference, quantity, DEA registration number or license numbers; and
(h) May accept authorization for a prescription renewal. For the purposes of this section, “prescription renewal” means the dispensing of medications pursuant to a practitioner’s authorization to fill an existing prescription that has no refill remaining.
(2) Pharmacy technicians shall not:
(a) Receive new verbal prescriptions or any change in the medication, strength or directions.
(b) Interpret a prescription or medication order for therapeutic acceptability and appropriateness;
(c) Conduct a final verification of dosage and directions;
(d) Engage in prospective drug review;
(e) Provide patient counseling;
(f) Monitor prescription usage;
(g) Override clinical alerts without first notifying the pharmacist.
(3) Nuclear pharmacy permits allow the pharmacy technician to receive diagnostic orders only. The pharmacist must receive therapy or blood product procedure orders.
(4)(a) All registered pharmacy technicians shall identify themselves as registered pharmacy technicians by wearing a type of identification badge that is clearly visible which specifically identifies the employee by name and by status as a “registered pharmacy technician” and
(b) All registered pharmacy technicians shall state their names and verbally identify themselves as registered pharmacy technicians in the context of telephone or other forms of communication.
Rulemaking Specific Authority 465.005, 465.014 FS. Law Implemented 465.014 FS. History–New 8-31-87, Formerly 21S-4.0025, Amended 7-30-91, Formerly 21S-27.420, 61F10-27.420, 59X-27.420, Amended 2-23-98,________.