Absence Of Pharmacist

(1) Long-term care pharmacy practice site. (a) General. During such times as a long-term care pharmacy practice site is closed, facility policy as approved by the pharmacist in charge shall provide a process for authorized personnel to obtain drugs necessary for the provision of patient care. This function may also be accomplished as outlined in the After Hours Drug Provision of this section. A pharmacist must be “on call” twenty four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week. (b) After Hours Drug Provision. When a long-term care pharmacy practice site is closed, access to prescription drugs shall be by locked cabinet(s), automated dispensing machines or other enclosure(s) constructed and located within the long-term care facility, to which only personnel authorized by the pharmacist in charge, in coordination with the medical and nursing staff, may obtain access. Access should be sufficiently secured to deny entry to unauthorized persons by force or otherwise. Those practice sites utilizing automated dispensing devices for after hours drug provision shall meet the requirements of rule 1140-14-.12.