64B16-28.608. Automated Filling Systems within a Pharmacy

(1) Definitions. The following definitions shall be applicable for purposes of this rule:

(a) “Automated filling system” means an automated system used within a pharmacy to assist in filling a prescription drug order by selecting, labeling, filling, or sealing medication for dispensing. An “automated filling system” shall not include automated devices used solely to count medication, vacuum tube drug delivery systems, or systems governed by Rule 64B16-28.606 or 64B16-28.607, F.A.C.

(b) “Electronic verification process” means an electronic verification, bar code verification, weight verification, radio frequency identification (RFID), or similar electronic process or system that accurately verifies medication has been properly prepared for dispensing by an automated filling system.

(c) “Manufacturer Unit of Use Package” means a drug dispensed in the manufacturer’s original and sealed packaging, or in the original and sealed packaging of a repackager.

(d) “Repackager” means a repackager registered with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as defined by Section 499.003(50), F.S.

(e) “Prepacked” means any drug that has been removed from the original packaging of the manufacturer or an FDA Repackager and is placed in a container for use in an automated filling system, as referenced by Section 499.003(42), F.S.

(f) “System drug identifier database” means the database or other system which positively identifies the drug to be dispensed by the automated filling system.

(2) The system drug identifier database shall be maintained by a pharmacist and shall not be delegated.

(3) Medication Stocking. Automated filling systems (hereinafter “system”) may be stocked or restocked by a pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or registered pharmacy technician under the supervision of a pharmacist, as each are defined by subsection 64B16-27.1001(7), F.A.C.

(4) Verification. Except as provided herein, a licensed pharmacist must verify the accuracy of the final contents of any medication filled or packaged by a system, and any label affixed thereto, prior to dispensing, as defined by subsection 64B16-27.1001(3), F.A.C.

(5) The pharmacist verification requirements of subsection (4), shall be deemed satisfied if:

(a) The pharmacy establishes and follows a policy and procedure manual that complies with subsection (6), of this rule;

(b) The system is fully automated from the time the medication is stocked into the machine until a completed, labeled and sealed prescription is produced by the system that is ready for dispensing to the patient. No manual intervention with the medication may occur after the medication is stocked into the system. For purposes of this section, manual intervention shall not include preparing a finished prescription for mailing, delivery, or storage;

(c) A pharmacist must perform a prospective drug review and verify the accuracy of the prescription information used by or entered into the system for a specific patient prior to initiation of the automatic fill process. The name, initials or identification codes(s) of the verifying pharmacist shall be recorded in the pharmacy’s records and maintained for four (4) years after dispensing, or longer if required by applicable law;

(d) All medication Prepacked by the pharmacy must be verified by a pharmacist pursuant to subsection 64B16-27.1001(3), F.A.C.

(e) A pharmacist verifies the correct medication, either the Manufacturer Unit of Use Package, Repacked, or Prepacked container, was properly filled and stocked in the system. Alternatively, an electronic verification process may be used to verify a Manufacturer Unit of Use Package, repackaged, or prepacked containers;

(f) The medication to be dispensed is selected, filled, labeled, or sealed in the prescription container by the system or dispensed by the system in a Manufacturer’s Unit of Use Package, repacked, or prepacked container;

(g) An electronic verification process is used to verify the proper prescription label has been affixed to the correct medication, prepackaged medication or Manufacturer Unit of Use Package for the correct patient; and,

(h) An audit trail is maintained for the prescription from the beginning of the system to the dispensing from the system, and maintain for four (4) years.

(6) The pharmacist verification requirements of subsection (4), shall be deemed satisfied for a system that is not fully automated when all or part of the system is used for Manufacturer Unit of Use Packages if:

(a) The system utilizes an Electronic Verification Process to verify that the correct drug matches the correct prescription label;

(b) The Electronic Verification Process activities are undertaken by a pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or registered pharmacy technician under the supervision of a pharmacist, as each are defined by subsection 64B16-27.1001(7), F.A.C., and consistent with Section 64B16-27.4001, F.A.C.; and,

(c) An audit trail is maintained for the prescription from the beginning of the system to the dispensing from the system, and maintained for four (4) years.

(7) Policies and Procedures. Pharmacies verifying prescriptions pursuant to subsection (5) or (6), of this rule, shall establish and follow written policies and procedures to ensure the proper, safe, and secure functioning of the system. Policies and procedures shall be reviewed annually by the prescription department manager or consultant pharmacist of record and shall be maintained in the pharmacy’s records for a minimum of four (4) years. The required annual review shall be documented in the pharmacy’s records and made available upon request. At a minimum, the pharmacy shall establish and follow policies and procedures for:

(a) Maintaining the system and any accompanying electronic verification process in good working order;

(b) Ensuring the integrity of the system drug identifier database and identification of persons responsible for database entries;

(c) Ensuring accurate filling, stocking, and verification of the system, as applicable;

(d) Ensuring sanitary operations of the system and preventing cross-contamination of cells, cartridges, containers, cassettes, or packages;

(e) Testing the accuracy of the system and any accompanying electronic verification process. At a minimum, the system and electronic verification process shall be tested before the first use of the system or restarting the system and upon any modification to the system or electronic verification process that changes or alters the filling or electronic verification process;

(f) Training persons authorized to access, stock, restock, or utilize the system in equipment use and operations, as applicable;

(g) Conducting routine and preventive maintenance and, if applicable, calibration;

(h) Removing expired, adulterated, misbranded or recalled drugs;

(i) Preventing unauthorized access to the system, including assigning, discontinuing or changing security access;

(j) Identifying and recording persons responsible for stocking, and filling the system;

(k) Ensuring compliance with state and federal law, including, all applicable labeling, storage, and security requirements;

(l) Maintaining an ongoing quality assurance program that monitors performance of the system and any electronic verification process to ensure proper and accurate functioning, including tracking and documenting of automated filling system errors that are not corrected prior to dispensing to the patient. Such documentation shall be maintained for four (4) years and produced to the Board upon request.

(8) Recordkeeping. Except as otherwise provided herein, records required by this rule shall be maintained in the pharmacy’s records electronically or in writing for a minimum of four (4) years, or longer if required under applicable law. If the verification requirements of paragraph (5)(d), of this rule, are completed by a pharmacist, the name, initials or identification code(s) of the verifying pharmacist shall be recorded in the pharmacy’s records and maintained for four (4) years after dispensing. Records shall be made available for inspection and produced to the Board or the Board’s authorized designee upon request.

Rulemaking Authority 465.005, 465.0155, 465.022(1) FS. Law Implemented 465.003(17), 465.0155, 465.022(1) FS. History‒New 3-24-14, Amended 11-5-17.