Contents - Volume 6, No. 1

Customized Patient Medication Packages

Recently, the NYS Board of Pharmacy recommended allowing the dispensing of noncontrolled medications packages (i.e., patient med paks) for institutions. The article addresses pharmacists' responsibilities for containers, medication incompatibles, labeling, and record keeping. This resolution was effective immediately.

Hypodermic Needles and Syringes

This is the first in the second series of six self-study CE articles that will appear in Pharmacy Law in 1999. Upon completion of this lesson covering the professional sampling of prescription products pharmacists in NYS should be able to:

• Identify the controls regarding the distribution of such samples
• Document the hospital's responsibilities in dispensing samples
• List the restrictions in the handling of samples.

Legislative Update

The article cites the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which has issued various updates to rules affecting public welfare. The article also mentions the FDA Modernization Act and the new label format for prescription medications.

Mailbag

• What is the maximum quantity of pseudoephedrine that can be sold to an individual at one time?
• Is the use of Code D in regard to NYS triplicate prescriptions still restricted to patients over 65 years old or does it pertain to patients of any age suffering from chronic pain and incurable disease?
• Are syringes and needles considered controlled substances?
• Is it legally necessary to pull (review and sticker) a prescription for the first refill in NYS?
• May registered nurses (RNs) give verbal prescription orders for controlled substances in community settings?