Kansas Mulls New Draft Rules for Hospital and Retail Telepharmacy

As you know if you've been reading the blog for a while, Kansas is proposing new telepharmacy rules. The Kansas State Board of Pharmacy's September meeting minutes fills us in on their concerns and how far along they are in the process:

Hospital Telepharmacy Update – Mr. Coast presented the update and stated the regulation title has been changed to “Electronic Supervision of Medical Care Facility Pharmacy Personnel”. The draft regulations were presented for the Board’s review. The Board discussed the potential hazard of unintended consequences of telepharmacy being used to reduce pharmacy staffing, which could lead to a decrease in patient safety and quality of care; and that this should be taken into consideration as the regulations are drafted. The Board will forward questions and issues for the task force to discuss and consider. The next task force meeting will be October 26, 2009 in Wichita.

Retail Telepharmacy Regulations and Update – Mr. Coast updated the Board on the retail telepharmacy regulations. Aaron McReynolds, the owner and PIC at Lincoln County Pharmacy in Lincoln, Kansas , connected by phone to tell the Board his issues concerning the current retail telepharmacy draft regulations. He sent his suggestions to the Board several months ago and has requested the Board consider the North Dakota regulations. He requested the telepharmacy regulations allow controlled substances and questioned the feasibility of unit of use packaging. Mr. Coast asked if the Board would be open to allowing controlled substances on a site by site basis. Mr. McReynolds will participate in the next task force meeting to assist in drafting regulations that will resolve his areas of concern. Mr. Forbes needed the Board’s input concerning questions posed by the Attorney General’s Office. The Board reviewed the questions. The task force may address those questions as well as Mr. McReynolds’ issues. The task force will schedule a meeting.

The October minutes haven't been released yet.