Does a pharmacist have to assess a patient’s drug therapy and health history for every one of their blister packs?
Requirements for assessment with compliance packaging
Standard 3.1(b) dictates that a pharmacist must consider appropriate information to assess the patient and the patient’s health history and history of drug therapy each time the pharmacist or a pharmacy technician practising with the pharmacist:
i. dispenses a Schedule 1 drug or blood product under a new or a repeat prescription, or
ii. dispenses or sells a Schedule 2 drug.
However, Standard 3.2 goes on to say:
Notwithstanding Standard 3.1(b), a pharmacist may delay the assessment of a patient if the pharmacist is satisfied that:
a) drugs are dispensed in frequent, limited quantities only to assist patient to self-administer or to comply with distribution processes in institutions; or
b) drugs will only be administered by another regulated health professional; and
c) the delay will not negatively impact the patient.
So, no, a pharmacist may not have to conduct an assessment for every batch of compliance-packaged medication dispensed for a patient if they feel the conditions of Standard 3.2 are met.
If you delay an assessment under Standard 3.2, you must ensure that appropriate information to assess the patient and the patient’s health history and history of drug therapy is completed:
- each time a new prescription or drug order is received, or
- every 90 days, whichever comes first.
Originally published in the July 24, 2012 issue of The Link
