Mich. Admin. Code R. 338.3655

Current through Vol. 24-21, December 1, 2024

Section R. 338.3655 - Approved pharmacy technician programs

Rule 5.

(1) The following pharmacy technician programs are considered board-approved after a completed application on a form provided by the department along with proof of accreditation is submitted to and reviewed by the department:

(a) A pharmacy technician program including an employer-based training program that is accredited by the ASHP/ACPE Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission.

(b) A pharmacy technician program that is offered by an education program that is accredited by the ASHP/ACPE Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission or by an agency accredited by the United States Department of Education.

(2) If any of the following pharmacy technician programs do not meet the requirements in subrule (1) of this rule, the program may apply for board approval by submitting an application to the department on a form provided by the department, along with an attestation form that verifies compliance with the information required in subrule (3) of this rule:

(a) A comprehensive curriculum-based pharmacy technician education and training program conducted by a community college under the community college act of 1966, 1966 PA 331, MCL 389.1 to 389.195 or a school that is licensed under the proprietary schools act, 1943 PA 148, MCL 395.101 to 395.103.

(b) A pharmacy technician training program utilized by a pharmacy that includes training in the functions, specified in section 17739(1) of the code, MCL 333.17739, and R 338.3665, required to assist the pharmacist in the technical functions associated with the practice of pharmacy.

(3) The contents of the training programs offered under subrule (2) of this rule must include all of the following:

(a) The duties and responsibilities of the pharmacy technician and a pharmacist, including the standards of patient confidentiality, and ethics governing pharmacy practice.

(b) The tasks and technical skills, policies, and procedures related to the pharmacy technician's position pursuant to the duties specified in section 17739(1) of the code, MCL 333.17739, and R 338.3665.

(c) The pharmaceutical-medical terminology, abbreviations, and symbols commonly used in prescriptions and drug orders.

(d) The general storage, packaging, and labeling requirements of drugs, prescriptions, or drug orders.

(e) The arithmetic calculations required for the usual dosage determinations.

(f) The essential functions related to drug, purchasing, and inventory control.

(g) The recordkeeping functions associated with prescriptions or drug orders.

(4) The pharmacy technician program shall maintain a record of a student's pharmacy technician training and education, specified in this rule, for 3 years after a student completes or leaves the program, whichever is earlier, that must include all of the following:

(a) The full name and date of birth of the pharmacy technician student.

(b) The starting date of the pharmacy technician program and date the student successfully completed the program.

(c) The program syllabus and activities performed in the program.

(5) A student shall complete a board-approved pharmacy technician program within 2 years of beginning the program in order to maintain the student's exemption from licensure in subrule (6) of this rule, and R 338.3651a.

(6) A student in a board-approved pharmacy technician program is exempt from licensure while in the program.

(7) A student who is at least 16 years of age, in a board-approved pharmacy technician program, may participate in practical hands-on training in the pharmacy.

(8) A pharmacy technician program that was board approved before July 1, 2022, shall reapply and meet the requirements of this rule no later than 1 year after these rules are promulgated, or the program will no longer be listed as a board-approved program. The board's approval of a program expires 5 years after the date of approval. After 5 years, upon review by the department, a pharmacy technician program may be reapproved if it has maintained its accreditation.

(9) If the department determines that a board-approved program is not meeting the standards of the code or these rules, the department may send written notice to the program stating which areas in the program are deficient. The program has 30 days to fix any deficiency and report back to the department. If the department determines that the deficiencies are not resolved, the board will evaluate the deficiencies and may withdraw approval.

(10) Withdrawal of board approval of a program for stated deficiencies that were not remediated does not make any bona fide student enrolled in the program, at the time of withdrawal of approval, ineligible to sit for an approved licensure examination.

Mich. Admin. Code R. 338.3655

2016 AACS; 2021 AACS; 2023 MR 19, Eff. 10/2/2023