Contents - Volume 7, No. 2

Aluminum and Parenteral Nutrition

This article discusses the FDA final rule that specifies the upper limit of aluminum permitted in certain parenterals and also requires certain labeling requirements for aluminum content with parenterals used in total parenteral nutrition. This regulation applies to all human drug large and small volume parenterals, along with pharmacy bulk packaging and total parenteral nutrition packaging. This rule is to take effect January 26,2001.

The Right to Refuse Antipsychotic Medication

This is the second in a series of six continuing education articles written by Karl G. Williams, pharmacist and attorney. A discussion involving a patient's rights concerning medical treatment is presented with emphasis on antipsychotic medications. A case involving a lawsuit from an institutionalized patient is analyzed with resulting opinion.

Rules and Regulations

Gamma-hydrobutyric Acid and Gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) have been classified as a Schedule I and List 1 Chemical, respectively, under the Federal Controlled Substance Act. Distributors' responsibilities are outlined.

Mailbag

• If I fill an Rx today for a hospice patient for a 15-day supply on an Official NYS prescription blank, what time frame do I have to partial fill it before it becomes null and void?
• Can an intern sell a self-defense spray? What if the person who wants to purchase a spray tells you that he/she lost one, and that the second is not working. Can you sell it to the person?
• What are the regulations concerning physicians dispensing samples directly to the patient in a staff-model managed-care facility?
• When entering prescription directions on the label, can you include information for the patient, or should this appear on an auxiliary label?
• What is the legal requirement for a physician's signature when using an institutional prescription blank?