La. Admin. Code tit. 46 § LIII-1109

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section LIII-1109 - Pharmacist Temporary Absence

A. A pharmacist shall be considered to be temporarily absent from the prescription department when not within the confines of the prescription department but remains on-site.

B. The pharmacist may be temporarily absent from the prescription department for breaks and meal periods without closing the prescription department and removing pharmacy personnel providing the following conditions are met:

1. at least one certified pharmacy technician or pharmacy intern remains in the prescription department;

2. the pharmacist is available for emergencies;

3. the temporary absence does not exceed 30 minutes at a time and a total of 60 minutes in a 12-hour period;

4. the pharmacist reasonably believes that the security of the prescription department will be maintained in his absence; and

5. a notice is posted that includes the following information:

a. the fact that the pharmacist is taking a break; and

b. the time the pharmacist will return.

C. If the pharmacist, in his professional judgment, determines it necessary, all personnel shall be removed from the pharmacy and the pharmacy shall be secured for the duration of the temporary absence, and notice shall be posted indicating the pharmacy is closed.

D. During a temporary absence, certified pharmacy technicians or pharmacy interns may continue to process prescription orders, provided that no orders processed during the pharmacist's temporary absence be removed from the prescription department prior to the final check by the pharmacist.

E. If the pharmacist is absent less than five minutes from the prescription department, this absence is not considered a "temporary absence" within the meaning of this Chapter and will not require a posted notice, provided the prescription department's security is not compromised.

F. If at any time the pharmacist deems it necessary to leave the on-site facility, the pharmacy shall be closed in accordance with § 1111 of this Part.

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, § LIII-1109

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Board of Pharmacy, LR 23:1311 (October 1997), amended LR 27:2237 (December 2001), LR 29:2088 (October 2003), effective January 1, 2004, Amended by Department of Health, Board of Pharmacy, LR 46579 (4/1/2020).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:1182.