Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 16, § 1746.5 - Pharmacists Furnishing Travel Medications

(a) A pharmacist furnishing prescription medications not requiring a diagnosis that are recommended by the federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for individuals traveling outside the 50 states and the District of Columbia pursuant to section 4052(a)(10)(A)(3) of the Business and Professions Code (hereafter, "travel medications") shall follow the requirements of this section.

(b) For purposes of Business and Professions Code section 4052(a)(10)(A)(3), a prescription medication "not requiring a diagnosis" means a prescription medication that is either:

(1) For treatment of a condition that is recognized as both self-diagnosable and self-treatable by the CDC's Health Information for International Travel (commonly called the Yellow Book), or

(2) For prophylaxis of a condition.

(c) Training: A pharmacist who furnishes travel medications shall keep documentation of the following on site and available for inspection by the Board:

(1) Completion of an immunization training program that meets the requirements of Business and Professions Code section 4052.8(b)(1),

(2) Completion of a travel medicine training program, which must consist of at least 10 hours of training and cover each element of the International Society of Travel Medicine's Body of Knowledge for the Practice of Travel Medicine (2012), hereby incorporated by reference,

(3) Completion of the CDC Yellow Fever Vaccine Course, and

(4) Current basic life support certification.

(d) Continuing Education: Pharmacists must complete two hours of ongoing continuing education focused on travel medicine, separate from continuing education in immunizations and vaccines, from an approved provider once every two years.

(e) Prior to furnishing travel medications, a pharmacist shall perform a good faith evaluation of the patient, including evaluation of the patient's travel history using destination-specific travel criteria. The travel history must include all the information necessary for a risk assessment during pre-travel consultation, as identified in the CDC Yellow Book. An example of an appropriate and comprehensive travel history is available on the Board's website.

(f) Notifications: The pharmacist shall notify the patient's primary care provider of any drugs or devices furnished to the patient within 14 days of the date of furnishing, or enter the appropriate information in a patient record system shared with the primary care provider, as permitted by the primary care provider. If the patient does not have a primary care provider, or is unable to provide contact information for his or her primary care provider, the pharmacist shall provide the patient with a written record of the drugs or devices furnished and advise the patient to consult a physician of the patient's choice.

(g) Documentation: For each travel medication furnished by a pharmacist, a patient medication record shall be maintained and securely stored in physical or electronic manner such that the information required under section 300 aa-25 of title 42 of the United States Code is readily retrievable during the pharmacy or facility's normal operating hours. A pharmacist shall provide the patient with a written document that reflects the clinical assessment and travel medication plan.

Notes

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 16, § 1746.5

1. New section filed 6-8-2017; operative 6-8-2017 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2017, No. 23).

Note: Authority cited: Section 4005, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 4052 and 4052.8, Business and Professions Code.

1. New section filed 6-8-2017; operative 6/8/2017 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2017, No. 23).