Section 18.64A.040. Limitations on practice.

(1) Pharmacy ancillary personnel shall practice pharmacy in this state only after authorization by the commission and only to the extent permitted by the commission in accordance with this chapter.

(2) A pharmacist shall be assisted by pharmacy ancillary personnel in the practice of pharmacy in this state only after authorization by the commission and only to the extent permitted by the commission in accordance with this chapter: PROVIDED, That no pharmacist may supervise more than one pharmacy technician: PROVIDED FURTHER, That in pharmacies operating in connection with facilities licensed pursuant to chapter 70.41, 71.12, 71A.20, or 74.42 RCW, whether or not situated within the said facility which shall be physically separated from any area of a pharmacy where dispensing of prescriptions to the general public occurs, the ratio of pharmacists to pharmacy technicians shall be as follows: In the preparation of medicine or other materials used by patients within the facility, one pharmacist supervising no more than three pharmacy technicians; in the preparation of medicine or other materials dispensed to persons not patients within the facility, one pharmacist supervising not more than one pharmacy technician.

(3) The commission may by rule modify the standard ratios set out in subsection (2) of this section governing the utilization of pharmacy technicians by pharmacies and pharmacists. Should a pharmacy desire to use more pharmacy technicians than the standard ratios, the pharmacy must submit to the commission a pharmacy services plan for approval.

(a) The pharmacy services plan shall include, at a minimum, the following information: Pharmacy design and equipment, information systems, workflow, and quality assurance procedures. In addition, the pharmacy services plan shall demonstrate how it facilitates the provision of pharmaceutical care by the pharmacy.

(b) Prior to approval of a pharmacy services plan, the commission may require additional information to ensure appropriate oversight of pharmacy ancillary personnel.

(c) The commission may give conditional approval for pilot or demonstration projects.

(d) Variance from the approved pharmacy services plan is grounds for disciplinary action under RCW 18.64A.050.

[ 2013 c 19 § 36; 1997 c 417 § 4; 1992 c 40 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 101 § 4.]

2013 c 19 § 36; 1997 c 417 § 4; 1992 c 40 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 101 § 4.