PHA 373 - Georgia Pharmacy Practice Act L4

What activities are included in the practice of pharmacy under Title 26?

Interpreting, evaluating, dispensing drugs, drug/device selection, drug administration, drug regimen reviews (prospective and retrospective DUR), research, patient counseling, capillary blood testing, compounding, and labeling.

Is patient counseling required for all patients receiving prescriptions?

Yes.

Can pharmacists diagnose disease from capillary blood test results?

No. They may only identify abnormal readings and provide patient education.

Who may work in the prescription department?

Pharmacists, pharmacy interns, pharmacy externs, and registered pharmacy technicians.

How is pharmacy law created in Georgia?

Title 26 is passed by the Georgia General Assembly, and the Georgia Board of Pharmacy creates rules and regulations to enforce it.

Where is the practice of pharmacy defined in Georgia law?

Title 26, Chapter 4, Articles 1-13.

What is a pharmacist?

A person licensed by the Board who graduated from an accredited pharmacy school and passed licensure exams.

What is a Pharmacist-in-Charge (PIC)?

A pharmacist responsible for ensuring compliance with pharmacy laws, rules, and regulations.

What is a pharmacy intern?

A pharmacy student or graduate registered with the Board who is gaining practical experience.

What is a pharmacy extern?

A pharmacy student assigned to a pharmacy to obtain curricular credit.

What is a registered pharmacy technician?

A support person registered with the Board who performs nonjudgmental technical services related to preparing and dispensing medications.

Are all registered technicians certified technicians?

No.

Are all certified technicians registered technicians?

Yes.

Who directly supervises interns, externs, and technicians?

A pharmacist.

What type of agency is the Georgia Board of Pharmacy?

An administrative agency.

What is the purpose of the Board of Pharmacy?

To provide guidance for pharmacy practice and enforce pharmacy laws.

How many members serve on the Board of Pharmacy?

8.

How is the Board composed?

7 pharmacists and 1 consumer.

Who appoints Board members?

The Governor.

Can the consumer member work in the pharmaceutical industry or a college of pharmacy?

No.

What does GDNA stand for?

Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency.

How many years of active pharmacy practice are required before serving as a GDNA agent?

At least 2 years.

What authority do GDNA agents possess?

The same authority and power as a sheriff.

What is a major responsibility of GDNA?

Conduct inspections at the direction of the Board.

What are the requirements for pharmacist licensure by examination?

Application, fee, age 18 or older, good moral character, accredited pharmacy degree, required internship/experiential education, and passing licensure exams.

What examinations are required for pharmacist licensure?

NAPLEX and MPJE.

What are the requirements for pharmacist licensure by reciprocity?

Application, fee, good moral character, proof of initial licensure by examination, license in good standing, no restricted licenses, reciprocal state, and passing the Georgia MPJE.

Can a pharmacist obtain Georgia licensure by reciprocity after failing Georgia licensure by examination?

No.

How long must the original state license be maintained for reciprocity?

At least 1 year.

Who may qualify for temporary pharmacist licensure?

Military personnel, military spouses, and pharmacy residents.

Can temporary pharmacist licenses be renewed or reissued?

No.

Can applicants who failed a licensing examination receive temporary licensure?

No.

When does a temporary pharmacist license expire?

6 months after issuance or when a permanent license is issued, whichever occurs first.

When does a pharmacy resident temporary license expire?

The end of the month following the third Board meeting after issuance.

When do Board meetings occur?

The 15th of each month.

How many internship hours are required for pharmacist licensure in Georgia?

1500 hours.

How many experiential hours are currently provided by the Georgia PharmD curriculum?

1880 hours.

How often are pharmacist licenses renewed?

Every 2 years in even-numbered years.

How many CE hours are required for pharmacist renewal?

30 hours (3.0 CEUs).

Can pharmacists place their licenses on inactive status?

Yes.

Are inactive pharmacists required to complete CE?

No.

What happens if a pharmacist fails to renew a license?

The pharmacist must apply for reinstatement and may receive a Board order or fine.

Who qualifies for a pharmacy intern license?

Current pharmacy students and pharmacy graduates obtaining practical experience required for licensure.

When does an intern license expire or become inactive?

5 years after issuance.

What school actions terminate or inactivate an intern license?

Suspension, expulsion, dismissal, or withdrawal from pharmacy school.

What acts are prohibited under the Code of Professional Conduct?

Receiving compensation for referrals, dispensing prescriptions with errors or ambiguities, dispensing adulterated products, diagnosing/treating disease, dispensing coded prescriptions, false advertising, unauthorized prescription changes, operating prescription substations without approval, physician compensation agreements, interfering with patient choice, accepting returned prescriptions for refund, dispensing invalid prescriptions, and failing to cooperate with the Board.

Is refusal to fill a prescription considered unprofessional conduct?

No. A pharmacist may refuse based on professional judgment or moral beliefs, but another pharmacist or pharmacy must be available to fill it.

Is ignorance of pharmacy law a valid defense?

No.

What must be documented when a prescription change is authorized?

Date, time, and method of approval.

What conduct may result in suspension, revocation, or refusal of a pharmacist license?

Unprofessional conduct, substance abuse, physical or mental impairment, felony convictions, crimes of moral turpitude, pharmacy/drug law violations, fraudulent representations, aiding and abetting pharmacy practice, failure to pay disciplinary costs, violating Board rules, dispensing a different drug without authorization, and inadequate controlled substance records.

Within how many days must revoked, suspended, or non-renewed licenses be returned to the Board?

10 days.

What types of reprimands may the Board issue?

Private or public.

Which licenses/permits renew in even-numbered years?

Pharmacist licenses, Drug Researcher Permits, and Wholesale Drug Distributor licenses.

Which licenses/permits renew in odd-numbered years?

Pharmacy licenses, Nonresident Pharmacy permits, and Pharmacy Technician registrations.

What is a Drug Researcher Permit?

A permit allowing handling of controlled substances or dangerous drugs for research, analysis, animal training, or drug education.

Can Drug Researcher Permit holders sell, distribute, or dispense drugs?

No.

What is a Nonresident Permit?

A permit for pharmacies outside Georgia that ship, mail, or deliver prescription drugs into Georgia.

What must a nonresident pharmacy maintain for patient counseling?

A toll-free number operating at least 6 days per week and 60 hours per week.

Must the toll-free number appear on the prescription label?

Yes.

What is a College of Pharmacy Permit?

A permit allowing possession and use of drugs for educational and research purposes.

Can a College of Pharmacy Permit holder sell or dispense drugs?

No.

Who serves as Director of Pharmacy for a College of Pharmacy Permit?

A pharmacist faculty member.

What is a Wholesale Drug Distributor license?

A license allowing wholesale distribution of drugs.

Within how many hours must immediate Board notification occur?

24 hours.

What events require immediate notification to the Board?

Permanent closing, ownership changes, location changes, PIC changes, theft/loss of drugs, employee drug-law convictions, disasters, destruction/loss of records, and significant adverse drug reactions.

Who must also be notified when controlled substances are stolen or lost?

GDNA.

How often are technician registrations renewed?

Every 2 years in odd-numbered years.

How many CE hours are required for technician renewal?

20 hours (2.0 CEUs).

Within how many days must the PIC notify the Board of technician employment changes?

10 days.

What duties may technicians perform?

Nonjudgmental technical duties, entering information into the computer system, and preparing labels under pharmacist supervision.

What duties are prohibited for pharmacy technicians?

Accepting oral prescriptions, transferring prescriptions, counseling patients, providing prescription information, determining refill appropriateness, certifying prescriptions, verifying IV admixtures, reviewing patient records, entering orders without pharmacist verification, weighing ingredients without verification, compounding without verification, and reconstituting medications without verification.

Can a technician ask a patient if they have questions about their medication?

No. Only a pharmacist may ask that question.

Can a technician enter prescription information into the computer system?

Yes, but the pharmacist must verify the information before processing continues.

Who is responsible for all technician and observer activities?

The supervising pharmacist.

Must the pharmacist be physically present when supervising personnel?

Yes.

Who is responsible for the accuracy of technician-entered information?

The pharmacist.

What is the technician-to-pharmacist ratio if two technicians are certified?

4:1.

What is the technician-to-pharmacist ratio if one technician is certified?

3:1.

What is the technician-to-pharmacist ratio if no technicians are certified?

2:1.

How many interns, externs, and observers may a pharmacist supervise?

One of each.

Who may prescribe medications in Georgia?

Physicians, dentists, podiatrists, veterinarians, and other individuals authorized by law.

Who may accept written, oral, faxed, or electronic prescription orders?

Only pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy externs.

What is corresponding responsibility?

The pharmacist has the same responsibility as the prescriber to ensure a prescription is appropriate, accurate, and safe.

When must a prescription be printed on security paper?

When it contains an electronic signature and is not transmitted directly by fax from the prescriber.

Who must be counseled on new prescriptions in Georgia?

All patients receiving new prescriptions.

What patient information should pharmacists attempt to obtain and maintain?

Name, address, telephone number, DOB, gender, allergies/adverse reactions, chronic conditions, and all medications including OTCs.

How long must patient records be maintained?

At least 2 years from the last entry.

What information must be maintained in patient records?

Rx number, drug name, strength, quantity dispensed, prescriber name, and relevant comments.

What must pharmacists review during a prospective DUR?

Overutilization, underutilization, therapeutic duplication, drug-disease interactions, drug-drug interactions, drug-allergy interactions, incorrect dose, dosage form, duration, and clinical abuse/misuse.

What may happen if a pharmacist fails to review a patient record?

Disciplinary action including suspension, revocation, or restriction.

What is the maximum number of NAPLEX attempts allowed?

5 attempts unless otherwise approved by the Board.

What is the maximum number of MPJE attempts allowed?

5 attempts per jurisdiction unless otherwise approved.

How many NAPLEX attempts are permitted within a 12-month period?

3.

How long must an applicant wait after failing the NAPLEX before retesting?

45 days.

How long must an applicant wait after failing the MPJE before retesting?

31 days.

What passing score is required on the NAPLEX and MPJE?

75.

What is a retrospective DUR?

A review of drug therapy after dispensing.

What is a prospective DUR?

A review of drug therapy before dispensing.

What does NAPLEX stand for?

North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination.

What does MPJE stand for?

Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination.