Pharmacy: remote services.

The Controlled Substances Act regulates, among other matters, the dispensing by prescription of controlled substances, which are classified into schedules, and the Pharmacy Law regulates, among other matters, the dispensing by prescription of dangerous drugs and dangerous devices, which also include controlled substances. Existing law authorizes a prescriber, a prescriber's authorized agent, or a pharmacist to electronically enter a prescription or order from outside of a pharmacy or hospital, as specified, except for prescriptions for controlled substances classified in Schedules II, III, IV, or V. Under existing law, a violation of these provisions is a crime. This bill would extend the authority to remotely enter a prescription or order to include prescriptions for controlled substances classified in Schedules II, III, IV, or V. The bill would also authorize a pharmacist working for a hospital pharmacy to perform various services remotely, as specified, on behalf of a hospital pharmacy located in California and under the written authorization of a pharmacist-in-charge. The bill would condition this authority on specified actions by the hospital pharmacy for which the pharmacist performs those services, including obtaining the consent of the pharmacist, developing and training the pharmacist on policies and procedures for the performance of those services, and taking specified steps to ensure the security of the information processed and the integrity of the hospital pharmacy's system. Because violation of these provisions would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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.