Sec. 10.34.35.05. Support Personnel

A. Pharmacy Technicians.

(1) A pharmacist working in an infusion pharmacy may delegate pharmacy acts to a pharmacy technician in accordance with COMAR 10.34.34.

(2) A pharmacy technician working in an infusion pharmacy may not perform delegated pharmacy acts as set forth in COMAR 10.34.34.03.

(3) A pharmacy technician working in an infusion pharmacy shall:

(a) Communicate immediately to the pharmacist reported changes in:

(i) Patient condition;

(ii) Patient medication list; and

(iii) Allergies; and

(b) Obtain pharmacist approval before processing refills.

(4) A pharmacy technician working in an infusion pharmacy may not:

(a) Except as provided in COMAR 10.34.34, accept or transcribe a new or change verbal order from an licensed authorized prescriber of record or the licensed authorized prescriber of record’s agent;

(b) Perform the clinical assessment of a patient;

(c) Communicate clinical matters except as required in §A(3)(a) of this regulations;

(d) Provide therapy-related direction to a patient or caregiver; and

(e) Create a patient care plan specific to a patient’s therapy.

B. Unlicensed Personnel.

(1) Unlicensed personnel working in an infusion pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist may perform operational support which the unlicensed personnel have been trained to adequately perform in accordance with COMAR 10.34.21.

(2) Unlicensed personnel shall be appropriately trained to perform the following tasks, as applicable, including but not limited to:

(a) Schedule delivery dates based on;

(i) Patient supply needs;

(ii) Patient or caregiver availability; and

(iii) If applicable, geographic delivery zones;

(b) Create delivery tickets;

(c) Communicate with the infusion nurse or pharmacist concerning supply needs and problems; and

(d) Clean, test, and maintain patient-use equipment.

(3) Unlicensed personnel working in an infusion pharmacy shall refer clinical questions or concerns reported by patients or caregivers immediately to the pharmacist.

(4) Unlicensed personnel may not perform delegated pharmacy acts.