Subject of Possible Rule Making: Clarifying conditions for ancillary utilization plans (AUPs) submitted to the pharmacy quality assurance commission (commission) for approval. The commission is considering amending WAC 246-945-410 to clarify that only pharmacies may submit an AUP, per RCW 18.64A.040 and 18.64A.060, for approval by the commission to utilize pharmacy ancillary personnel as defined in RCW 18.64A.010(5).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: At the June 26, 2025, business meeting, the commission discussed two AUPs submitted by health care entities for approval. The facilities submitting the AUPs cited a passage in WAC 246-945-410(11) that could be interpreted to allow a nonpharmacy entity to submit an AUP based on the use of the term "facility" in that section of rule and how that term is defined in WAC 246-945-405(2). Following the discussion, the commission tasked staff with researching the statutes that authorize an AUP submission and approval.

Staff confirmed at the August 14, 2025, business meeting that the statutes relating to the use of ancillary personnel in RCW 18.64A.040 and 18.64A.060 only allow pharmacies to submit AUPs for commission approval. The commission then decided to initiate rule making to ensure WAC 246-945-410 matches the commission's determination that only pharmacies can utilize ancillary personnel and submit AUPs.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Joshua Munroe, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-502-5058, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email PharmacyRules@doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Rule development takes place in open public meetings prior to a formal rule proposal and comment period. All rule-making notices are sent via GovDelivery. To receive notices, interested persons may sign up by going to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new. After signing up, please click open the box labeled "Health Systems Quality Assurance." Next, click open the box labeled "Health Professions," then check the boxes next to either "Pharmacy Commission Meeting and Agenda" and/or "Pharmacy Commission Newsletter."