Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.64.005.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Pharmacists are not consistently providing patients with the information necessary to assure that patients know how to correctly take their medication. Inappropriate drug therapy is a major national problem which adds greatly to health care costs. Cost associated with the waste of misused drugs and the results of not receiving intended therapy have been estimated to account for as much as $100 billion per year. The board is considering amending its rule on patient medication to clarify when the pharmacist must provide patient counseling and what information needs to be communicated to the patient.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None, federal government requires patient counseling on prescriptions covered by Medicare.

Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making, mailings and public meetings.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Lisa Salmi, Board of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 47863, Olympia, WA 98504-7863, phone (360) 586-3018, FAX (360) 586-4359.

May 6, 1998

D. H. Williams

Executive Director