Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 16, § 1793.7 - Requirements for Pharmacies Employing Pharmacy Technicians

(a) Except as otherwise provided in section 1793.8, any function performed by a pharmacy technician in connection with the dispensing of a prescription, including repackaging from bulk and storage of pharmaceuticals, must be verified and documented in writing by a pharmacist. Except for the preparation of prescriptions for an inpatient of a hospital and for an inmate of a correctional facility, the pharmacist shall indicate verification of the prescription by initialing the prescription label before the medication is provided to the patient.

(b) Pharmacy technicians must work under the direct supervision of a pharmacist and in such a relationship that the supervising pharmacist is fully aware of all activities involved in the preparation and dispensing of medications, including the maintenance of appropriate records.

(c) A pharmacy technician must wear identification clearly identifying him or her as a pharmacy technician.

(d) Any pharmacy employing or using a pharmacy technician shall develop a job description and written policies and procedures adequate to ensure compliance with the provisions of Article 11 of this Chapter, and shall maintain, for at least three years from the time of making, records adequate to establish compliance with these sections and written policies and procedures.

(e) A pharmacist shall be responsible for all activities of pharmacy technicians to ensure that all such activities are performed completely, safely and without risk of harm to patients.

(f) For the preparation of a prescription for an inpatient of a licensed health facility and for a patient of a licensed home health agency, the ratio shall not be less than one pharmacist on duty for a total of two pharmacy technicians on duty. Pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 4115(g)(1), this ratio shall not apply to the preparation of a prescription for an inmate of a correctional facility of the Department of the Youth Authority or the Department of Corrections, or for a person receiving treatment in a facility operated by the State Department of Mental Health, the State Department of Developmental Services, or the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Notes

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 16, § 1793.7

1. New section filed 8-12-92; operative 9-11-92 (Register 92, No. 33).
2. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (f) and NOTE filed 9-11-2002 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2002, No. 37).
3. Repealer of subsection (a), subsection relettering, amendment of newly designated subsections (b) and (d) and new subsection (e) filed 9-22-2004; operative 10-22-2004 (Register 2004, No. 39).
4. Amendment of subsection (a) filed 12-7-2006; operative 1-6-2007 (Register 2006, No. 49).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 4005, 4007, 4038, 4115 and 4202, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 4005, 4007, 4038, 4115 and 4202, Business and Professions Code.

1. New section filed 8-12-92; operative 9-11-92 (Register 92, No. 33).
2. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (f) and Note filed 9-11-2002 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2002, No. 37).
3. Repealer of subsection (a), subsection relettering, amendment of newly designated subsections (b) and (d) and new subsection (e) filed 9-22-2004; operative 10-22-2004 (Register 2004, No. 39).
4. Amendment of subsection (a) filed 12-7-2006; operative 1-6-2007 (Register 2006, No. 49).