Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024
A.
Patient counseling means the effective communication by a pharmacist of
information to the patient or caregiver, in order to ensure proper use of drugs
and devices.
B. Minimum
Requirements. At a minimum, the pharmacist should be convinced that the patient
or caregiver is informed of the following:
1.
name and description of the medication;
2. dosage form, dosage, route of
administration, and duration of therapy;
3. special directions and precautions for
preparation, administration, and use by the patient;
4. common severe side effects or adverse
effects or interactions and therapeutic contraindications that may be
encountered, including their avoidance, and the action required in the event of
their occurrence;
5. techniques for
self-monitoring drug therapy;
6.
proper storage of the medication;
7. prescription refill information, if any;
and
8. the action to be taken in
the event of a missed dose.
C. The pharmacist may supplement oral
information with written information, but shall not use written information
alone to fulfill the counseling requirement.
D. Patient Information
1. The pharmacist shall make a reasonable
effort to obtain, record, and maintain the following information:
a. name, address, and telephone
number;
b. date of birth (or age)
and gender;
c. allergies/drug
reactions, disease state(s); and
d.
current list of all medications.
E. Communication to the Patient
1. A pharmacist shall counsel the patient or
caregiver "face-to-face" when possible or appropriate. If it is not possible or
appropriate to counsel the patient or caregiver "face-to-face," then a
pharmacist should counsel the patient or caregiver by using alternative
methods. The pharmacist shall exercise his professional judgment in the
selection of alternative methods, including but not limited to, telephonic or
electronic communication with the patient or caregiver.
2. A pharmacist shall provide patient
counseling to patients discharged from hospitals and/or other institutions,
where applicable. However, counseling shall not be required for inpatients of a
hospital or institution where a nurse or other licensed health care
professional is authorized to administer medication(s).
3. The pharmacist shall maintain appropriate
patient-oriented drug information materials for use by the patient upon
request.
F. Waiver. No
pharmacist or pharmacy may solicit or encourage blanket waivers for patient
counseling. However, nothing in this regulation shall prohibit the patient or
caregiver from declining patient counseling.
AUTHORITY NOTE:
Promulgated in accordance with
R.S.
37:1182.
