South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-84 - Standards for Licensing Community Residential Care Facilities
Sec2 61-84.1200 - MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
Section 61-84.1200.1205 - Medication Containers (I)

A. Medications for residents shall be obtained from a permitted pharmacy or prescriber on an individual prescription basis. These medications shall bear a label affixed to the container which reflects at least the following: name of pharmacy, name of resident, name of the prescribing physician or other authorized healthcare provider, date and prescription number, directions for use, and the name and dosage unit of the medication. The label shall be brought into accord with the directions of the physician or other authorized healthcare provider each time the prescription is refilled. Medication containers having soiled, damaged, incomplete, illegible, or makeshift labels shall be returned to the pharmacy for re-labeling or disposal. Residents may obtain their over-the-counter (OTC) medication from a pharmacy other than a pharmacy contracted with the facility.

B. Medications for each resident shall be kept in the original container(s) including unit dose systems; there shall be no transferring between containers (except in instances such as in Section 1203.E above), or opening blister packs to remove medications for destruction or adding new medications for administration, except under the direction of a pharmacist. In addition, for those facilities that utilize the unit dose system or multi-dose system, an on-site review of the medication program by a pharmacist shall be conducted on at least a quarterly basis to ensure the program has been properly implemented and maintained. For changes in dosage, the new packaging shall be available in the facility no later than the next administration time subsequent to the order.

C. If a physician or other authorized healthcare provider changes the dosage of a medication, a label, which does not obscure the original label, shall be attached to the container which indicates the new dosage, date, and prescriber's name. In lieu of this procedure, it is acceptable to attach a label to the container that states, "Directions changed; refer to MAR and physician or other authorized healthcare provider orders for current administration instructions." The new directions shall be communicated to the pharmacist upon receipt of the order.