Before dispensing, each prescription shall be certified by the pharmacist. This certification includes that he/she or the intern receives the prescription; and checks the prescription for incompatibilities, contraindications, proper dosage and compliance with relevant state and federal regulations.
Standard 2
Before dispensing, the prescription shall be certified by the pharmacist. This certification includes supervision of all personnel in the prescription department, verification of proper contents in containers and verification of proper label.
Standard 3
The pharmacist shall be readily accessible for consultation with patients on health related problems and health-related products. The pharmacist shall be able to fully advise the patient on non-legend medications. Areas should be maintained for these consultations to encourage optimum communication between pharmacist and patient.
Standard 4
A patient medication record system shall be maintained and utilized by the pharmacist prior to dispensing medications. The system should contain a patient history, including hypersensitivities, disease states, and other idiosyncrasies of the patient, and a record of the patient’s prescription and non- prescription medications. All records shall be held in strictest confidence and shall be made available only to persons authorized by statute or legal processes or those to whom the patient has given authorization to examine said records.
Standard 5
The pharmacist shall comply with regulations promulgated by the State Board of Pharmacy, state and federal regulations, and legislative statutes and have copies of these documents in the pharmacy. All professional improprieties of these regulations by others shall be reported to the proper authorities.
Standard 6
The pharmacist shall continue his professional education by attending continuing education experiences and reading professional publications. Educational activities shall include at least one ACA annual or regional meeting every three years.
Standard 7
The pharmacist must have decision making authorityfor all professional decisions.
Standard 8
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco will not be offered for sale.
Standard 9
Food and beverages are not advertised or actively displayed.
Standard 10
The pharmacist will not be involved in agreements which provide financial incentives to prescribers to refer patients for services.
TYPE 2 STANDARDS
Standard 11
Compounded prescriptions shall be prepared according to “Good Compounding Practices.” This includes assurance that the medicine is dispensed with neat labels and explicit and complete directions. A stock of compounding equipment should be maintained commensurate with the scale of compounding performed.
Standard 12
All new prescription medications shall be dispensed directly by the pharmacist to the patient or his/her representative. Complete dosage directions, precautions, proper storage conditions and other essential information related to the medicine shall be explained at this time to the patient or his/her representative.
Standard 13
Items of questionable quality shall not be stocked by the pharmacy. These items include out-of-date items, mislabeled or unlabeled drugs, adulterated items, recalled items and other items deemed questionable by the pharmacist based upon published reports.
Standard 14
A proper professional image shall be presented by the pharmacist to the patient. This image shall include neat, professional attire; open display of pharmacy and pharmacist’s license; and operation of the prescription department in an orderly manner.
Standard 15
Any professional promotions or communications program should attempt to assure that all patients receive adequate information concerning services and charges.
Standard 16
Professional surroundings for the patient shall be maintained in the pharmacy. These surroundings include waiting areas with chairs, consultation areas and stocking of health related materials.
Standard 17
The pharmacist shall serve as a source of health information to patients in an effort to optimize preventive medicine and health maintenance.
Standard 18
Twenty-four (24) hour emergency service shall be offered with sufficient information available to inform the patient such a service exists.
Standard 19
The pharmacist shall maintain a sufficient library to optimally practice his role as drug consultant. This library shall include references on toxicology, drug interactions, compounding, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacology, medicine and others. In addition to the toxicology text, ready access should be made available to the local poison control center.
Standard 20
The pharmacist shall have the ability to evaluate the common signs and symptoms of acute self limiting illness.
Standard 21
The pharmacist shall have the ability to consult with precribers about the proper drug entity product and design of regimens for patients.
Standard 22
The pharmacist shall have the ability to monitor the patient’s response to legend and non-legend medications.
Standard 23
Food service for consumption on premises shall not be offered in the pharmacy.
Standard 24
The pharmacy shall be maintained in a clean orderly manner with good lighting and merchandise neatly displayed.
Standard 25
Patient records will be kept which document the recommendations and counseling given to the patients.