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At the December 14, 2023 business meeting, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (commission) approved the following frequently asked questions regarding health care entities (HCEs) and the 72-hour dispensing limitation. These FAQs will be placed on the commission’s website in the next few business days.
- Question 1: Does the 72-hour limitation defined in RCW 18.64.450(4) apply to HCEs when a pharmacist dispenses drugs to a patient who receives care within the HCE?
No, the commission interprets RCW 18.64.450 as allowing HCEs to dispense a greater than 72-hour supply of a prescribed medication to a patient who receives care within the HCE if a pharmacist dispenses the medication and the dispensing and delivery of the medication otherwise complies with rules of the commission.
- Question 2: May HCEs dispense medications in unit-of-use packaging when supplied in the original manufacturer container although the amount supplied would exceed 72 hours and a pharmacist is not dispensing the medication? Examples include but are not limited to inhalers, oral contraceptives, steroid dose packs, eye drops/ointments, ear drops, topical creams/ointments, and topical sprays packed in the manufacturer’s original packaging (i.e., have not been repackaged).
No, HCEs may not dispense more than a 72-hour supply of a medication to a patient who receives care at the HCE unless a pharmacist dispenses the medication.
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