POPS Chapter 18 – Pick-Up And Delivery Of Prescription And Over-The-Counter Medications Standards
Subchapters
18.1 Dispensing of Medications
18.1 Dispensing of Medications
Texas law prohibits dispensing prescription medication except by appropriate licensed personnel. An agency may pick up and deliver medication, however, if appropriate procedures are followed. Medications shall not be recycled between clients or provided to clients for whom they were not prescribed.
18.2 Personnel
All personnel performing medication pick-up and delivery tasks have a current Texas drivers license and carry insurance as required by state law and all funding sources.
18.3 Procedures and Protocols
There are written protocols for:
- Medication pick-up and delivery, including tracking the process
- Handling over-the-counter medications delivery
18.3.1 Pick-Up of Medication
Specific staff are authorized to pick-up medication from a licensed pharmacist on a regular basis. Provisions are made in case the designated people are unable to perform their duties.
18.3.2 Medication Transportation
- All medications are transported according to pharmacist instruction regarding storage conditions. No client medications are ever left in an unlocked vehicle
- There is a written procedure to deal with any mishaps (moving violations, accidents, etc.) When transporting medication, documentation is kept in a vehicle-related file
18.3.3 Delivery of Medications
- There is written protocol to address the situation of the client not being at home to receive his/her medication. If the agency must keep prescription on-site, these are to be kept locked and stored according to the pharmacist’s instructions for storage
- Efforts should be made to deliver medications as soon as possible. Activities related to necessary storage of medications and of attempts to make delivery are documented
- Client files should contain documentation of delivered medication
18.3.4 Storage of Medication
There is an agency policy that limits the length of time that medication can be stored on agency property prior to delivery or collection. This should not exceed 72 hours.
18.3.5 Use of Agency Vehicle
Any agency vehicle used to pick up or deliver medication must have current insurance coverage required by state law and by funding sources.
18.3.6 Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications
There is a written protocol for pick-up and delivery of OTC medications for clients.