ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fifth Legislature First Regular Session
	Senate: HHS DP 7-0-1-0 | 3^rd Read 30-0-0-0 House: HHS DP 9-0-0-0

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SB 1604: remote dispensing pharmacies; rural hospitals

Sponsor:  Senator Gowan, LD  14

House Engrossed

Overview

Allows specified hospitals to operate a remote dispensing site pharmacy under the remote supervision of a pharmacist with the Board of Pharmacy’s (Board) approval.

History

Under current law, a pharmacy operating in connection with a hospital must meet the following supervision requirements: 1) in hospitals with 50 beds or more, the pharmacy must be under continuous supervision of a pharmacist during the time it is open for services; and 2) in hospitals with less than 50 beds, pharmacists’ services are required on a part time basis (A.R.S. 32-1934).

A remote dispensing site pharmacy is defined in statute as a pharmacy where a pharmacy technician or intern prepares, compounds or dispenses prescription medications under the remote supervision of a pharmacist. A remote dispensing site pharmacy must be licensed by the Board and meet the following requirements: 1) be either jointly owned by a supervising pharmacy or operated under a contract with a licensed Arizona pharmacy; 2) be supervised by a licensed pharmacist; 3) display a visible sign indicating the facility is a remote dispensing site; 4) meet recordkeeping requirements; 5) maintain a perpetual inventory of controlled substances; 6) secure schedule II controlled substances that are opioids separately and as prescribed; 7) comply with schedule II controlled substance limitations; 8) maintain a specified system of video surveillance and recording; and 9) maintain a policy and procedures manual. A pharmacist may supervise one remote dispensing site pharmacy and up to two if the pharmacist is not simultaneously supervising and dispensing at another licensed pharmacy (A.R.S. §§ 32-1901 and 32-1961.01).

Provisions

1. Permits hospitals with fewer than 50 beds located in counties with a population of less than 500,000 persons, with the written approval and recommendations of the Board, to operate a remote dispensing site pharmacy under the remote supervision of a pharmacist while the pharmacy is open for pharmacy services. (Sec. 1)

2. Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1)

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6.                   SB 1604

7. Initials EB/SF        Page 0 House Engrossed

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