Pharmacy Technician and Intern Pharmacist Supervision

PURPOSE: This rule defines the required supervision for pharmacy technicians and intern pharmacists. (1) Pharmacy technicians and intern pharmacists may assist a pharmacist in the practice of pharmacy as authorized by Chapter 338, RSMo, and the rules of the board, provided delegated tasks are performed under the direct supervision of a pharmacist. Direct supervision means supervision by a Missouri licensed pharmacist who is readily and immediately available at all times the delegated tasks are being performed and who provides personal assistance, direction, and approval throughout the time the delegated tasks are being performed. “Readily and immediately available” means the pharmacist and pharmacy technician(s) or intern pharmacists are on the same physical premises, or if not, technology is used to communicate with and monitor the pharmacy technician and intern pharmacist, as authorized in section (2). (2) Use of Technology. Except as otherwise provided by law or regulation, technology may be used to directly supervise a pharmacy technician and intern pharmacist, provided: (A) Sufficient technology is available to allow communication between the pharmacist and the pharmacy technician or intern pharmacist in a manner that is sufficient to provide the personal assistance, direction, and approval required to verify and ensure delegated tasks are safely and properly performed. Technicians and intern pharmacists may not be supervised as authorized by this subsection if the required technology is not operating or available; (B) All applicable state and federal laws are fully observed, including, but not limited to, all applicable privacy and confidentiality laws; (C) The pharmacy technician or intern pharmacist has completed employer approved training in the activities performed and has an initial and annual documented assessment of competency. Documentation of the completed training and competency assessment must be maintained in the pharmacy’s records for a minimum of two (2) years and provided to the board or the board’s designee upon request; and (D) The supervising pharmacist and the permit holder must maintain a sufficient audit trail of prescription/medication order data entry and modifications to a patient record performed by a pharmacy technician or intern pharmacist being supervised as authorized by this subsection. The record must include the identity of the pharmacy technician or intern pharmacist performing the data entry or modification and must be maintained in the pharmacy’s records for a minimum of five (5) years. (3) The supervising pharmacist and permit holder shall retain responsibility for activities delegated to a pharmacy technician or intern pharmacist. (4) Nothing in this rule shall override the provisions of 20 CSR 2220-2.010. (5) Unless otherwise provided by law or court of competent jurisdiction, the provisions of this rule are only applicable to pharmacy services under the jurisdiction of the board and are not applicable to hospital pharmacy services under the jurisdiction of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services pursuant to Chapter 197, RSMo. AUTHORITY: sections 338.010 and 338.140, RSMo Supp. 2019, and sections 338.013, 338.035, and 338.280, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed Feb. 7, 2020, effective Aug. 30, 2020. Emergency rule filed June 5, 2020, effective June 19, 2020, expired Sept. 1, 2020. *Original authority: 338.010, RSMo 1939, amended 1951, 1989, 1990, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019; 338.013, RSMo 1997, amended 2004, 2009; 338.035, RSMo 1990, amended 1993, 1995, 2007; 338.140, RSMo 1939, amended 1981, 1989, 1997, 2011, 2019; and 338.280, RSMo 1951, amended 1971, 1981.