1. (a) A pharmacist-in-charge who utilizes a pharmacy technician to enter information into the pharmacy computer must develop and keep on file at the pharmacy written policies and procedures that describe the process by which the supervising pharmacist verifies the accuracy, validity, and appropriateness of the filled prescription or medication order.

2. (b)

   1. (1) A pharmacist-in-charge who utilizes a pharmacy technician for bulk reconstitution of prefabricated noninjectable medication, bulk compounding, and/or preparation of parenteral products shall develop written policies and procedures for training, testing, and competency assessment of any pharmacy technicians performing these tasks.
   2. (2) These policies and procedures shall incorporate those standards developed in the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Guidelines on Quality Assurance for Pharmacy-Prepared Sterile Products (copyright 2002) or an Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy-approved equivalent.

3. (c) The pharmacist-in-charge shall include in the policy and procedure manual:

   1. (1) The specific scope of responsibilities for pharmacy technicians; or
   2. (2) Procedures delegated to pharmacy technicians.

4. (d) In each instance in which a pharmacy technician prepares or processes any medication identified in 17 CAR § 160-905, the supervising pharmacist shall:

   1. (1) Supervise the technician participating in those tasks as provided in 17 CAR § 160-901(2);

   2. (2) Personally determine all medication dose calculations and drug compatibilities, maintain proper storage conditions, and verify the proper labeling of all finished products, to include:

      1. (A) For bulk products, the:

5. (i) Product name;

   1. (ii) Name and strength of each drug;

      1. (iii) Name and volume of each vehicle;

         1. (iv) Preparation and expiration dates; and
         2. (v) Lot or equivalent numbers; and
      2. (B) For individual products, the information required by law for individual prescriptions;
   2. (3) Determine all medication dose calculations and drug compatibilities, maintain proper storage conditions, and verify the proper labeling of all finished products including appropriate expiration dates; and

   3. (4) Record in written form his or her verification of the:

      1. (A) Amount of each ingredient by:

         1. (i) Volume;
         2. (ii) Weight; or
         3. (iii) Measure; and
      2. (B) Final product by lot or equivalent number.
6. (e) The supervising pharmacist shall ensure that the pharmacy technician maintains confidentiality of all patient records.

7. (f) The pharmacist-in-charge shall:

   1. (1) Maintain records of each drug product resulting from the procedures identified in subsection (b) of this section for a period of two (2) years; and

   2. (2) Make said records available for inspection by the board to include:

      1. (A) A copy of all individual training, testing, and competency assessments;
      2. (B) The record of verification of ingredients and final drug product described in subdivision (d)(4) of this section; and
      3. (C) Policies and procedures applicable to producing said drug products.

Codification Notes: This section as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules provided as follows: “(Revised 11/15/2003 and 8/1/2020)"