N.M. Code R. § 7.20.12.38 – Management of Drugs and Pharmaceuticals

A. Other than over-the-counter medication, a facility does not acquire, store or dispense medications.
(1) Exception: Medication for a particular child prescribed by a licensed physician, licensed doctoral level psychologist, nurse practitioner, or dentist, such as may be needed for the child’s health care.
(2) Exception: Facilities providing services which require regular use of controlled and/or prescription medication for the children under care must hold and display an appropriate drug permit as determined by the state board of pharmacy.
B. All medications and poisonous substances must be kept in a locked cabinet or other container inaccessible to the children. The key to the medication storage container is only available to the authorized staff.
C. Poisonous substances and medications labeled for external use only are not accessible to children and are kept separate from other medication.
D. Medications prescribed for one child are not provided to any other child.
E. All prescribed medications are kept in their original prescription containers.
F. Only medications which can be self-administered by the child or with assistance and supervision in self-administration are kept in the facility. Exception: Facilities which require regular use of controlled or prescription medication administered by a physician, dentist, or nurse are kept by a facility and administered in accordance with the appropriate drug permit issued by the state board of pharmacy.
G. Medication prepared for self-administration or administration by staff are not prepared in advance.
H. All medication given to a child is entered in the child’s record with the date, time and dosage and initials of the staff member assisting with the self-administration of the medication.
I. Medications which require refrigeration are kept in a separate locked box within a refrigerator, a locked refrigerator, or a refrigerator in a locked room.
J. All outdated medications are disposed of in a manner approved by the state board of pharmacy.
K. The staff member assisting is self administration of medication may hold the container, assist the child in opening the container and assist the child in self-administering the medication. Exception: When a facility has a nurse registered in the state of New Mexico on the staff who prepares dosages and administers the medication to the children, the nurse may administer the medication.
[1/1/99; 7.20.12.38 NMAC - Rn, 7 NMAC 20.12.38, 02/28/05]