New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 7 - HEALTH
Chapter 8 - RESIDENTIAL HEALTH FACILITIES
Part 3 - REGULATIONS GOVERNING RESIDENTIAL SHELTER CARE FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN
Section 7.8.3.95 - MANAGEMENT OF DRUGS AND PHARMACEUTICALS IN COMMUNITY HOMES

A. The facility must have written procedures, approved by a physician, pharmacist or nurse regarding how staff should administer over-the-counter medications to children in care.

B. Other than over-the-counter medications, a facility does not acquire, store or dispense medications. EXCEPTION: Facilities providing services which require regular use of controlled and/or prescription medication for the children under care must hold and display an appropriate drug permit as determined by the State Board of Pharmacy.

C. All medications must be kept in a locked cabinet or other container. The key to the medication storage container is only available to the authorized staff.

D. Poisonous substances and medications labeled for "external use only" are not accessible to children and are kept separate from other medication.

E. Medications prescribed for one child are not to be given to any other child.

F. All prescribed medications are kept in their original prescription containers. Only medications which can be self-administered by the child or with assistance and supervision in self-administration are kept in the facility. The staff member assisting in self administration of medication may hold the container, assist the child in opening the container and assist the child in self-administering the medication.

G. Medication prepared for self-administration is not prepared in advance.

H. All medication given to a child is entered in the child's record with the date, time and dosage and initials of the staff member assisting with the self-administration of the medication.

I. Medications which require refrigeration are kept in a separate locked box within a refrigerator, a locked refrigerator, or a refrigerator in a locked room.

J. All outdated medications are disposed of in a manner approved by the State Board of Pharmacy.