Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 216 - Department of health
Chapter 40 - Professional licensing and facility regulation
Subchapter 15 - Pharmacy
Part 1 - Pharmacists, Pharmacies, and Manufacturers, Wholesalers, and Distributors
Section 216-RICR-40-15-1.9 - Provision of Medications by Non-Pharmacists

1. A practitioner may dispense legend medications, excluding controlled substances, in accordance with his/her scope of practice, through the use of an automated dispensing system. The practitioner shall perform drug utilization review prior to the medication being dispensed.

2. If a practitioner utilizes an automated dispensing system for dispensing medications to his/her patients, the following requirements shall apply:

1. PAP medications may be dispensed from stock supplies provided that the following requirements are met:

2. Delivery of the PAP medication to the patient may be delegated by the practitioner.

1. In a hospital, nursing facility, medical institution, clinic, assisted living residence, or hospice care facility where the facility or practitioner does not hold an institutional pharmacy license, administration of stock medications is permitted. The practitioner shall perform drug utilization review and medication validation ("final check") prior to the medication being administered. Provided, however, the practitioner may delegate the medication validation ("final check") to the registered nurse administering the medication.

2. In substance abuse facilities, that include detoxification services and residential treatment services, stock medications shall be administered in accordance with a protocol approved by the Board.

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Part to the contrary, any practitioner authorized to deliver healthcare services at a facility licensed pursuant to the Rules and Regulations for the Licensing of Organized Ambulatory Care Facilities, Subchapter 10 Part 3 of this Chapter, may dispense pharmaceuticals provided by the Director only during a period covered by a Federal or State emergency declaration. However, all such emergency dispensing shall only be performed in accordance with specific written protocols provided by the Director for these pharmaceuticals.

2. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Part to the contrary, any practitioner in a hospital emergency department who treats a patient for sexual assault, needle stick or other incident involving potential exposure to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) may provide the patient with up to the entire recommended course of medication for prophylaxis against potential HIV exposure. Any such dispensing of HIV prophylaxis medication shall be conducted in accordance with protocols established by the hospital's institutional pharmacy, and shall include written instructions to be given to the patient regarding the use of the medication, which shall contain, as a minimum, the information required by §§ 1.9(G)(1)(a) through (f) of this Part.

1. A practitioner in a hospital emergency room, hospital clinic or ambulatory surgical center who administers to a patient a single dose of a medication from a multi-dose unit of use package may distribute any remaining doses of the prescription drug to the patient, provided the practitioner gives the patient sufficient instructions regarding the prescription drug, which instructions may include, but not be limited to:

2. For the purposes of § 1.9(G) of this Part, "sufficient instructions" shall include the receipt by the patient of appropriate written information such as a drug monograph.

3. A label shall be affixed to each dispensed medication that shall include:

4. Medication dispensing and labeling shall be limited to prescribers only and may not be delegated to other personnel.

5. In a hospital setting, the pharmacist/pharmacy shall be responsible to determining which medicines can be dispensed from the Emergency Department and/or hospital clinic in this manner.

6. Under no circumstances shall any drug designated as a controlled substance pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 21-28, be dispensed to a patient by a practitioner in a hospital emergency room or ambulatory surgery center.