N.J. Admin. Code § 13:39-7.21

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 19, October 7, 2024

Section 13:39-7.21 - Patient counseling

(a) Except as provided in (a)5 below, before dispensing a new medication, a pharmacist shall make reasonable efforts to counsel the patient or the patient's caregiver. Counseling may include the following:

1. The name and description of the medication;

2. The dosage form, dosage, route of administration, and duration of drug therapy;

3. Special directions and precautions for preparation, administration and use by the patient;

4. Common adverse or severe side effects or interactions and contraindications that may be encountered, including how to avoid such side effects, interactions and contraindications, and the action required if they occur;

5. Techniques for self-monitoring drug therapy;

6. Proper storage;

7. Prescription refill information; and

8. Action to be taken in the event of a missed dose.

(b) The offer to counsel may be made by pharmacy personnel. However, counseling shall be performed only by a pharmacist, or by a pharmacy intern or pharmacy extern under the immediate personal supervision of a pharmacist consistent with the requirements of 13:39-6.2(f)5.

(c) A pharmacist shall not be required to counsel a patient or caregiver when the patient or caregiver refuses such counseling.

(d) If the patient or caregiver is not physically present, the offer to counsel shall be made by telephone or in writing on a separate document accompanying the prescription. A written offer to counsel shall be in bold print, easily read, and shall include the hours a pharmacist is available and a telephone number where a pharmacist may be reached. The telephone service must be available at no cost to the pharmacy's primary patient population.

(e) At the time of dispensing, the pharmacist shall document that counseling was provided or refused.

(f) The requirements of this section shall not apply to a pharmacist who dispenses any drug to an inpatient at a hospital or a long term care facility in which the resident is provided with 24-hour nursing care.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:39-7.21

New Rule, R.2010 d.090, effective 6/21/2010.
See: 42 N.J.R. 132(a), 42 N.J.R. 1221(a).
Amended by R.2017 d.220, effective 12/4/2017.
See: 49 N.J.R. 1316(a), 49 N.J.R. 3761(a).
In (c), deleted the second sentence; added new (e); and recodified former (e) as (f).
Amended by R.2022 d.019, effective 1/18/2022.
See: 53 N.J.R. 498(a), 54 N.J.R. 156(c).
In (e), deleted "by obtaining the signature of the patient or caregiver" following "document".