Amend requirement for monthly inspection of automated dispensing devices by pharmacy personnel to verify proper storage, location of drugs, expiration dates, drug security and validity of access codes.

The Board will publish the petitions on June 20, 2011 and request 21 days of public comment ending July 11, 2011.  The Board will consider the petitions and comments received at its meeting on September 22, 2011 to determine whether to initiate a regulatory action.

The Board of Pharmacy received three petitions for rulemaking from hospital pharmacists requesting an amendment to #5 of section 490 in Chapter 20, which provides requirements for automated devices for dispensing and administration of drugs. The petitioners requested less burdensome requirements for verification of storage, location, expiration dates, drug security and validity of access codes.

While the Board agreed that the petition was reasonable and the specific requirements in #5 may need to be modified for consistency with current technology, it concluded that all of section 490 should be examined for possible amendments that would ensure drug security and integrity but would make compliance less burdensome.