Rule 480-15-.06 - Other Pharmacy Personnel(1) Effective June 1, 2016, a pharmacy may permit pharmacy observers to shadow licensed pharmacists for the limited and exclusive purpose of education about the practice of pharmacy.(2) Requirements. In order to be pharmacy observer, an individual must: (a) Be at least seventeen (17) years old;(b) Be currently enrolled in high school or in general education diploma preparation courses; and(c) Not have been convicted of a felony and/or any offense that was related to drugs and have an attestation by the principal of his/her school or parent or guardian stating that the observer has neither been convicted of a felony or any offense that was related to drugs.(3) Limitation of Duties. A pharmacy observer shall not perform any duties that require licensure as a pharmacist or pharmacy intern or registration as a pharmacy technician under the Georgia Pharmacy Practice Act (O.C.G.A. Title 26, Chapter 4) or the Rules of the Georgia Board of Pharmacy. It shall be the responsibility of the supervising pharmacist and the pharmacist-in-charge to ensure that no pharmacy observer performs or conducts those duties or functions that require licensure or registration under Georgia law or rules.(4) Restriction of Access. A pharmacy observer shall not be present in the pharmacy for more than eight (8) hours per day and in no circumstance for more than forty (40) hours.(5) Requirement of Direct Supervision. The supervising pharmacist shall be present and personally supervise the pharmacy observer at all times that the observer is in the pharmacy. The pharmacist to pharmacy observer ratio shall not exceed one pharmacist providing direct supervision of one pharmacy observer.(6) Identification of Pharmacy Observers. The pharmacist-in-charge shall be responsible for ensuring that any pharmacy observer in the prescription department is easily identifiable by the use of a name badge or other similar means which prominently displays the observer's name and job title. The pharmacist-in-charge is responsible for ensuring that such a person wears or displays such identification at all times when the person is present in the prescription department.(7) Professional Conduct. A pharmacy observer shall be subject to any confidentiality restrictions under state and/or federal law or regulation to which other pharmacy employees are subject. The pharmacist-in-charge shall conduct all training required to ensure that the pharmacy observer understands and complies with his/her obligations of confidentiality under state and federal law or regulation.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 480-15-.06
O.C.G.A. §§ 26-4-28, 26-4-110, 26-4-111.
Original Rule entitled "Other Pharmacy Personnel" adopted. F. May 17, 2016; eff. June 6, 2016.