N.J. Admin. Code § 13:39-9.23

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 13:39-9.23 - Storage and security

(a) Provisions shall be made for adequate safe storage of drugs wherever they are stored in the health care facility.

1. All drugs shall be secured for safe use and protected against illicit diversion. Controlled dangerous substances in the institutional pharmacy and throughout the facility shall be stored and protected in conformance with State and Federal laws and regulations.

2. Supplies of external preparations stored in patient care areas shall be kept separate from internal medications.

3. The pharmacist-in-charge or, where provided for in Department of Health rules, the director of pharmaceutical services shall be responsible for all the medications in the facility.

4. The drugs throughout the facility shall be maintained under adequate storage conditions including proper lighting, ventilation and temperature control as required by N.J.A.C. 13:39-5.7(b).

(b) The pharmacist-in-charge or, where provided for in Department of Health rules, the director of pharmaceutical services shall establish a system of control for all drugs dispensed for use in the drug therapy of patients of the facility. Inspections shall be conducted of all medication areas located in the facility or any other service area of the facility at least once every two months to check for expiration or use by dates, proper storage, misbranding, physical integrity, security, and accountability of all drugs. These inspections shall be fully documented. Written inspection reports shall be prepared and signed by the inspecting pharmacist or by the pharmacy technician, intern, or extern and co-signed by his or her supervising pharmacist. The pharmacist-in-charge shall be responsible for ensuring that, prior to performing any inspections pursuant to this subsection, pharmacy technicians, interns, and externs are trained and can successfully demonstrate competency. Procedures for the review of these reports shall be developed and instituted by the pharmacist-in-charge and can be incorporated into the overall quality assurance program of the health care facility.

(c) Procedures shall be established to assure the immediate and efficient removal of all outdated and recalled drugs from patient care areas and from the active stock of the pharmacy. The pharmacist-in-charge shall develop written policies and procedures governing the removal from the facility of outdated or recalled drugs.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:39-9.23

Amended by 49 N.J.R. 3761(a), effective 12/4/2017