La. Admin. Code tit. 46 § LIII-517

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 3, March 20, 2024

Section LIII-517 - Patient Counseling

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.

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, § LIII-517

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Board of Pharmacy, LR 14:708 (October 1988), effective January 1, 1989, amended LR 29:2084 (October 2003), effective January 1, 2004.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:1182.