WSR 19-17-034
PERMANENT RULES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
(Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission)
[Filed August 14, 2019, 3:48 p.m., effective September 14, 2019]
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: WAC 246-901-130 Pharmacist to pharmacy technician ratio, the purpose of the rule is to eliminate a standard ratio for all practice settings. The rule will allow responsible pharmacy managers to use their professional judgment to determine the appropriate staffing levels for their practice setting. Staffing levels must ensure satisfactory supervision of ancillary personnel for the safe and appropriate delivery of patient care.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-901-130.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 19-04-032 on January 28, 2019.
A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Doreen Beebe, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4834, fax 360-236-2260, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email doreen.beebe@doh.wa.gov, web site www.doh.wa.gov.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: June 21, 2019.
Tim Lynch, PharmD, MS, Chair
Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 00-15-081, filed 7/19/00, effective 8/19/00)
WAC 246-901-130Pharmacist to pharmacy technician ratio.
(((1) A standard ratio of one pharmacist to a maximum of three technicians is established for each licensed pharmacy.
(2) The pharmacist must be actively practicing pharmacy.
(3) In determining which pharmacists may be included in the calculation of the ratio, the board will consider approval of pharmacy technician utilization plans which include all pharmacists within the pharmacy who are engaged in the actual practice of pharmacy. When the pharmacy provides service to inpatients of a hospital or extended care facility, pharmacists who are practicing pharmacy outside of the confines of the licensed pharmacy (for example, performing nursing unit inspections, reviewing charts, consulting with health professional staff) may be included in the ratio, if:
(a) There are sufficient numbers of pharmacists within the pharmacy to properly supervise the work of the pharmacy technicians;
(b) The pharmacy is not open to the public;
(c) The medications are being checked by another health professional before being given to the patient;
(d) Drug orders are not dispensed from the pharmacy without being checked by a licensed pharmacist or pharmacy intern except for board-approved pharmacy technician specialized functions provided a pharmacy technician may check unit-dose medication cassettes.))(1) The ratio of pharmacy technicians to pharmacist(s) on duty is to be determined by the responsible pharmacy manager.
(2) The responsible pharmacy manager will ensure that the number of pharmacy technicians on duty can be satisfactorily supervised by the pharmacist(s) on duty.