Standards of Practice for the Filling of Controlled Sustance Prescriptions; Electronic Prescribing; Mandatory Continuing Education
RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:
64B16-27.831Standards of Practice for the Filling of Controlled Substance Prescriptions; Electronic Prescribing; Mandatory Continuing Education
NOTICE OF CHANGE
Notice is hereby given that the following changes have been made to the proposed rule in accordance with subparagraph 120.54(3)(d)1., F.S., published in Vol. 44 No. 34, February 19, 2018 issue of the Florida Administrative Register.
The change is in response to written comments submitted by the staff of the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee and discussion and subsequent vote by the board at the public meeting held April 4, 2018. The rule shall now read as follows:
64B16-27.831 Standards of Practice for the Filling of Controlled Substance Prescriptions; Electronic Prescribing; Mandatory Continuing Education.
The Board of Pharmacy recognizes that it is important for the patients of the State of Florida to be able to fill valid prescriptions for controlled substances. In filling these prescriptions, the Board does not expect pharmacists to take any specific action beyond exercising sound professional judgment. Pharmacists should not fear disciplinary action from the Board or other regulatory or enforcement agencies for dispensing controlled substances for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice. Every patient’s situation is unique and prescriptions for controlled substances shall be reviewed with each patient’s unique situation in mind. Pharmacists shall attempt to work with the patient and the prescriber to assist in determining the validity of the prescription.
(1) through (5) No change.
(6) Mandatory Continuing Education: All pharmacists shall complete a Board-approved 2-hour continuing education course on the Validation and Counseling of Prescriptions for Controlled Substances and Opioids. The course content shall include the following:
(a) through (e) No change.
(f) Proper patient storage and disposal of unused controlled substances;
(g) Protocols for addressing and resolving problems recognized during the drug utilization review to include but not limited to the following:
1. drug /drug interactions;
2. side effects; and
3. high dose/low dose guidelines.; and
4. section 381.887, F.S., Emergency treatment for suspected opioid overdoses and the State Surgeon General’s Statewide Standing Order for Naloxone.
(h) Education on the provision of section 381.887, F.S., Emergency treatment for suspected opioid overdoses and on the State Surgeon General’s Statewide Standing Order for Naloxone (eff. May 19, 2017) for as long as the Order is valid and effective.
(i)(h) through (j)(i) No change.
(7) All licensed pharmacists shall complete the required course during the biennium ending on September 30, 2019. A 2-hour course shall be taken every biennium thereafter. The course shall count towards the mandatory 30 hours of CE required for licensure renewal. All newly licensed pharmacists must complete the required course before the end of the first biennial renewal period. A licensee who completed the mandated Validation of Prescription for Controlled Substances course between October 1, 2017 and July 1, 2018 May 1, 2018, shall be deemed to have complied with this subsection for the biennium ending on September 30, 2019.
(8) No change.
Rulemaking Authority 456.013, 465.005, 465.0155, 465.009, 465.022(12) FS. Law Implemented 456.013, 456.42, 456.43, 465.0155, 465.003, 465.009, 465.016(1)(i), (s), 465.017, 465.022(12), 893.04 FS. History–New 8-29-02, Amended 2-24-03, 11-18-07, 12-24-15, .
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: C. Erica White, Executive Director, Board of Pharmacy, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C04, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3254.
