Maintenance should involve ensuring that the pharmacy practice is in compliance with
- federal laws and regulations (e.g., FDA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA])
- state/local laws and regulations (e.g., Virginia Board of Pharmacy, Virginia Drug Control Act)
- professional standards (e.g., The Joint Commission, Pharmacy Technician Certification Board [PTCB] [https://www.ptcb.org/]),
and should include monitoring of
- FDA recalls
- OSHA regulations (e.g., those related to storage/handling hazardous materials [HAZMAT] and procedures to follow in case of exposure)
- The Joint Commission standards for personnel, facilities, and equipment/supplies
- safety data sheets (SDS)
- Virginia Board of Pharmacy regulations related to the physical plant
- safety items (e.g., fire extinguishers and smoke detection devices).
See PTCB 2.2, 2.5 (https://www.ptcb.org/lib24watch/files/pdf/169).
See ASHP 2.2 (https://www.ashp.org/-/media/assets/professional-development/technician-program-accreditation/docs/ashp-acpe-pharmacy-technician-accreditation-standard-2018.ashx?la=en&hash=36EAA6511105A6C6BFEA4F30E193892F19E2C385).
Process/Skill Questions:
- What are the basic steps in the recall process? How might the process differ from one recall to another?
- What are the storage requirements for inventory to be dispensed to the public?
- How would a pharmacy technician implement a process for continual monitoring to ensure that no products on the shelf have expired?
- What are the necessary steps for the storage and handling of hazardous substances?
- What are the considerations for monitoring personnel compliance with laws and regulations?
- What are the considerations for monitoring facilities?
Virginia Administrative Code Regulations Governing the Practice of Pharmacy
18VAC110-20-110 — Pharmacy permits generally
18VAC110-20-240 — Manner of maintaining records, prescriptions, inventory records