Pharmacy: emergency medical services automated drug delivery system.

Existing law, the Pharmacy Law, provides for the licensing and regulation of the practice of pharmacy by the California State Board of Pharmacy, which is within the Department of Consumer Affairs, and makes any violation of the Pharmacy Law punishable as a crime. Existing law authorizes a pharmacy to furnish a dangerous drug or a dangerous device to a licensed health care facility for storage in a secured emergency pharmaceutical supplies container maintained within the facility or to an approved service provider within an emergency medical services system for storage in a secured emergency pharmaceutical supplies container if certain policies and procedures are met. This bill would authorize a pharmacy or licensed wholesaler that is also an emergency medical services provider agency to restock dangerous drugs or dangerous devices into an emergency medical services automated drug delivery system, as defined, that is licensed by the board if specified conditions are met, including that the emergency medical services provider agency obtain a license from the board to operate the system, and requires dangerous drugs and dangerous devices stored or maintained in an emergency medical services automated drug delivery system to be used for the sole purpose of restocking a secured emergency pharmaceutical supplies container. The bill would provide that only a medical director, a pharmacist, or a licensed designated paramedic is authorized to restock an emergency medical services automated drug delivery system. The bill would provide that a violation of these provisions constitutes unprofessional conduct and would authorize the board to take action against the license of the fire department. By expanding the scope of an existing crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would authorize the board to issue a designated paramedic license to a paramedic in this state if he or she meets certain criteria and pays an application and license fee, as specified. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.