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I'm looking for laws that state whether a pharmacy in NYS, persuant to an Rx, is allowed to, for example, dispense M-M-R II to patients in order for them to take it to their doctors for administration.
I'm seeing this being done for many different immunizing agents for which RPhs do not have the authority to administer but can dispense. Ex. Gardasil, Hep-B vaccines, etc. We get calls from doctors saying that they just don't stock a lot of basic vaccines. Patients are paying cash or using their insurance to get the vaccines.
The package inserts of these vaccines state storage temperature ranges that, at many times, encompass the temperature outside (ex. between 36°F to 46°F). Also, some vaccines give you a 30 to 60 minute post-reconstitution use-by time-limit. Other vaccines allow for significant time periods of high temperature excursions. This leeway is used to justify dispensing to a patient who is claiming to, as per the Rx, immediately go to the doctor after getting the vial. We're also seeing patients purchasing the appropriately sized needles and syringes. This system can easily be used to, for example, have a patient self-administer Gardasil as per the doctor's instructions.
What level of liability are we taking on here? Is this allowed? I'm trying to look for regulations that support or disallow this practice.
I'm seeing this being done for many different immunizing agents for which RPhs do not have the authority to administer but can dispense. Ex. Gardasil, Hep-B vaccines, etc. We get calls from doctors saying that they just don't stock a lot of basic vaccines. Patients are paying cash or using their insurance to get the vaccines.
The package inserts of these vaccines state storage temperature ranges that, at many times, encompass the temperature outside (ex. between 36°F to 46°F). Also, some vaccines give you a 30 to 60 minute post-reconstitution use-by time-limit. Other vaccines allow for significant time periods of high temperature excursions. This leeway is used to justify dispensing to a patient who is claiming to, as per the Rx, immediately go to the doctor after getting the vial. We're also seeing patients purchasing the appropriately sized needles and syringes. This system can easily be used to, for example, have a patient self-administer Gardasil as per the doctor's instructions.
What level of liability are we taking on here? Is this allowed? I'm trying to look for regulations that support or disallow this practice.