Distribution And Control Of Drugs

The pharmacist in charge shall be responsible for approving policies for the distribution and control of drugs within the long-term care facility. The process shall be established to provide for the safe and efficient distribution of drugs and for the provision of pharmaceutical care, and shall include but not be limited to: (1) A drug dispensed from the pharmacy for subsequent administration to a patient shall be appropriately identified with the name and location of the patient and the name and strength of the drug. (2) The pharmacist in charge is responsible for the development and maintenance of an audit trail on drugs dispensed and delivered. (3) The prescription order shall be recorded on a patient medication profile that will be maintained during the patient’s treatment. This profile shall include the date of the prescription order, the name and dosage form of the drug and the dose and administration frequency. (4) The long-term care facility distribution system may be based on a combination of processes that will ensure compliance with federal and state guidelines such as, but not limited to, emergency kits/crash carts, automated dispensing devices, and/or after-hours procedures for pharmacy site access.