The purpose of this section is to provide standards for the provision of remote pharmacy services by a provider pharmacy in a facility that is not at the same location as the provider pharmacy through an automated pharmacy system.
A provider pharmacy may provide remote pharmacy services directly or through the use of a Board-approved subcontractor using an automated pharmacy system to a health care facility or other appropriate facility located in the District of Columbia if:
A provider pharmacy may only utilize a subcontractor for the provision of after-hours and weekend remote pharmacy services, or in the case of an emergency situation caused by forces majeure, i.e. acts of God.
A provider pharmacy shall notify the Director in writing within ten (10) days of a change of location, discontinuance of service, or closure of a remote site or remote pharmacy service.
The pharmacist-in-charge of the provider pharmacy is responsible for all pharmacy operations involving the automated pharmacy system located at the remote site including supervision of the automated pharmacy system and compliance with this section.
The following duties shall be performed only by a licensed pharmacist at the provider pharmacy:
Patient counseling of an inpatient of a health care facility may be performed by either a pharmacist or a licensed health care professional authorized to administer drugs.
Drugs shall only be dispensed at a remote site through an automated prescription medication dispensing system if:
Non-sterile drugs which require reconstitution through the addition of a specified amount of water may be dispensed by the remote site only if a registered pharmacy technician or an authorized licensed healthcare provider reconstitutes the product.
Subsequent doses from an approved prescription drug order may be removed from the automated medication system by, authorized personnel, after the initial approval. Any change made in the prescription drug order shall require a new approval by a pharmacist to release the drug.
A provider pharmacy shall only store drugs at a remote site within an automated medication dispensing system that is locked by key or combination so as to prevent access by unauthorized personnel.
A pharmacist from the provider pharmacy shall be accessible at all times to respond to a patient's or other health professional's questions and needs pertaining to drugs dispensed through an automated medication dispensing system at a remote site. The access may be by telephone or through a twenty-four (24) hour pager service.
The provider pharmacy shall be responsible for ensuring that the requirements set forth under §§ 1914 and 1915 of this Title are met, and for maintaining all required records.
The pharmacist-in-charge of the provider pharmacy shall be responsible for ensuring that the remote site and automated medication dispensing system comply with all applicable federal and District laws and regulations.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit a pharmacy, or provider pharmacy, located within the District of Columbia to provide remote pharmacy services to a facility or individual located outside of the District of Columbia without legal authorization under the laws of the recipient state or jurisdiction.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 22, r. 22-B1916