<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".17" citation="COMAR 10.34.03.17" title_num="10" subtitle_num="34" chapter_num="03" heading="Requirements for a Decentralized Pharmacy.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A decentralized pharmacy is subject to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Health Occupations Article, Title 12, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>This subtitle; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Other applicable State and federal laws and regulations.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A decentralized pharmacy shall ensure that a licensed pharmacist is immediately available on the premises of the decentralized pharmacy to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Supervise pharmacy operations; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Provide the final check for preparing medication orders for administration in the institutional facility.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Notwithstanding §B of this regulation, a pharmacist assigned to a decentralized pharmacy may leave the decentralized pharmacy for a short period of time to perform pharmaceutical care functions in the institutional facility.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>A director of pharmacy of the institutional pharmacy shall be responsible for pharmacy operations involving a decentralized pharmacy, including direct supervision of decentralized pharmacy personnel by a pharmacist and compliance with this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>A pharmacy department may store prescription medications and over the counter medications that are approved for use by the institutional pharmacy as required for the treatment of patients in the nursing unit served by the decentralized pharmacy.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>An institutional pharmacy and the decentralized pharmacy shall have shared common electronic files or appropriate technology to allow access to sufficient information necessary or required to process functions required for the care of patients within the service area of the decentralized pharmacy.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>A decentralized pharmacy shall have a pharmacist physically located at the decentralized pharmacy to directly supervise pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees during hours of operation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>An institutional pharmacy shall notify the Board in writing within 14 days of a change of location, discontinuance of service, or closure of a decentralized pharmacy.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>Security.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In addition to the security requirements outlined in COMAR 10.34.05, a decentralized pharmacy shall have adequate security and procedures to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Prohibit unauthorized access;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Comply with federal and State regulations; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Maintain patient confidentiality.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Access to the decentralized pharmacy shall be limited to pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy technician trainees employed by the institutional pharmacy, and other personnel authorized by the director of pharmacy.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>