Labeling and Storage of Medications

Section 330 Section 330.1530  Labeling and Storage of Medications a)         All medications shall be stored in a locked area at all times.  Areas shall be well lighted and of sufficient size to permit storage without crowding.  This area may be a drawer, cabinet, closet, or room.  In those facilities where a licensed nurse dispenses medication to residents, medications may be stored in a locked mobile medication cart, which is made immobile when not in use by the nurse to dispense medication. b)         The key to the medicine area shall be the responsibility of, and in the possession of, the staff persons responsible for overseeing the self-administration of medications by residents. 1)         The medicine area shall not be used for any other purpose.  It shall not be located in residents' rooms, bathrooms, or the kitchen.  However, for those persons whom the attending physician has given written permission to handle their own medication, medications may be stored in a locked drawer or cabinet in the resident's room. 2)         Residents whom the attending physician has given permission to be totally responsible for their own medication shall maintain possession of the key, or combination of the lock, to their own medication storage area.  A duplicate key, or a copy of the combination, shall be kept by the facility in a secure place for emergency use. c)         Medications for external use shall be kept in a separate location in the medicine area or in a separate locked area. d)         All poisonous substances and other hazardous compounds shall be kept in a separate locked area away from medications. e)         Biologicals or medications requiring refrigeration shall be kept in a separate, securely fastened and locked container in a refrigerator, or in a locked refrigerator. f)         The label of each individual medication container filled by a pharmacist shall clearly indicate the resident's full name; licensed prescriber's name; prescription number, name, strength and quantity of drug; date of issue; expiration date of all time-dated drugs; name, address, and telephone number of pharmacy issuing the drug; and the initials of the pharmacist filling the prescription.  If the individual medication container is filled by a licensed prescriber from his or her own supply, the label shall clearly indicate all of the preceding information and the source of supply; it shall exclude identification of the pharmacy, pharmacist, and prescription number. g)         Medication in containers having soiled, damaged, incomplete, illegible, or makeshift labels shall be returned to the issuing pharmacist, pharmacy, or dispensing licensed prescriber for relabeling or disposal.  Medications whose directions for use have changed since the medication was originally dispensed and labeled may be retained for use at the facility in accordance with the licensed prescriber's current medication order. Medications in containers having no labels shall be destroyed in accordance with federal and State laws. h)           The medications of each resident shall be kept and stored in their originally received containers.  Medications shall not be transferred between containers.