Ala. Admin. Code r. 680-X-2-.28

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 680-X-2-.28 - Temporary Absences Of Pharmacists During Break And Meal Period

(1) This rule is to allow pharmacists to have breaks and meal periods without unreasonably impairing the ability of a pharmacy to remain open.

(2) In any pharmacy that is staffed by a single pharmacist, the pharmacist may leave the pharmacy area or department, temporarily, for breaks and meal periods without closing the pharmacy and removing interns/externs and technicians from the pharmacy, if the pharmacist reasonably believes that the security of the controlled substances will be maintained in his or her absence.

(a) If, in the professional judgment of the pharmacist, the pharmacist determines that the pharmacy should be closed during his or her absence, then the pharmacist shall close the pharmacy area or department and remove all interns/externs and technicians from the pharmacy during his or her absence.

(3) During the pharmacist's temporary absence, no prescription medication may be provided to a patient or to a patient's agent unless the prescription medication is a new or refill medication that the pharmacist has checked, released for furnishing to the patient and was determined not to require the consultation of a pharmacist.

(4) During such times that the pharmacist is temporarily absent from the pharmacy area or department, the interns/externs and technicians may continue to perform the non-discretionary duties authorized to them by any applicable law or rule. However, any duty performed by an intern/extern or technician shall be reviewed by a pharmacist upon his or her return to the pharmacy.

(5) The temporary absence authorized by this rule shall be limited to thirty (30) minutes. The pharmacist shall remain within the facility during the break period and be available to handle all emergency situations.

(6) The pharmacy shall have written policies and procedures regarding the operations of the pharmacy area or department during the temporary absence of the pharmacist for breaks and meal periods. The policies and procedures shall include the authorized duties of interns/externs and technicians, the pharmacist's responsibility for maintaining the security of the pharmacy. The policies and procedures shall be open to inspection by the Board or its designee at all times during business hours.

Author: Jerry Moore, R. Ph., J.D., Executive Director

Ala. Admin. Code r. 680-X-2-.28

New Rule: Filed April 11, 2001; effective May 16, 2001; operative June 1, 2001. Amended: July 1, 2002; effective August 5, 2002.

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-23-92.