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2002 SESSION


CHAPTER 632
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 54.1-3411.1, relating to certain unused drugs provided to free clinics.
[H 154]
Approved April 6, 2002

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 54.1-3411.1 as follows:

§ 54.1-3411.1. Prohibition on returns, exchanges or re-dispensing of drugs; exceptions.

A. Drugs dispensed to persons pursuant to a prescription shall not be accepted for return or exchange for the purpose of re-dispensing by any pharmacist or pharmacy after such drugs have been removed from the pharmacy premises from which they were dispensed except:

1. In a hospital with an on-site hospital pharmacy wherein drugs may be returned to the pharmacy in accordance with practice standards;

2. In such cases where official compendium storage requirements are assured and the drugs are in manufacturers’ original sealed containers or in sealed individual dose or unit dose packaging that meets official compendium class A or B container requirements, or better, and such return or exchange is consistent with federal law; or

3. When a dispensed drug has not been out of the possession of a delivery agent of the pharmacy.

B. Pursuant to a voluntary agreement between a nursing home and a pharmacy, drugs may be transferred in accordance with subdivision A 2 between the nursing home and the pharmacy for re-dispensing to the indigent, free of charge, if the following procedures are satisfied:

1. The physical transfer shall be accomplished by a person authorized to do so by the pharmacy;

2. The person or his authorized representative from whom the prescription medication was obtained shall provide written consent for the donation and such consent shall be maintained on file at the licensed nursing home;

3. The person's name, prescription number, and any other patient identifying information, shall be obliterated from the packaging prior to removal from the licensed nursing home;

4. The drug name, strength, and expiration date or beyond-use date shall remain on the medication package label;

5. An inventory list of the drugs shall accompany the drugs being transferred that shall include, but not be limited to, the medication names, strengths, expiration dates, and quantities; and

6. Outdated drugs shall not be transferred and shall be destroyed in accordance with regulations adopted by the Board.

The pharmacist-in-charge at the pharmacy shall be responsible for determining the suitability of the product for re-dispensing. A re-dispensed prescription shall not be assigned an expiration date beyond the expiration date or beyond-use date on the label from the first dispensing and no product shall be re-dispensed more than one time. No product shall be accepted for re-dispensing by the pharmacist where integrity cannot be assured.

C. Nothing in this section shall authorize the donation of unused prescription drugs dispensed for use by persons eligible for coverage under Title XIX or Title XXI of the Social Security Act, as amended.

2. That the Board of Pharmacy shall promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this act to be effective within 280 days of its enactment.