Why Pharmacy Law Knowledge Is Vital for Patient Safety

Pharmacy law sets a standard that protects patients and prevents medication misuse. Therefore, pharmacy as a profession is incomplete without these laws.

They are a foundation on which pharmacists serve. In addition, these guidelines explain the legal implications of failing to operate within the law. For instance, they say the penalty. Thus, this article illuminates the boundaries pharmacy law sets and why this knowledge is essential for an aspiring pharmacist.

Why Pharmacy Law Matters

Every profession has guiding rules and principles. As such, pharmacy is no different. Aspiring pharmacists sit for various examinations to test their understanding of the legal framework of this profession. Beyond academics, they also require certification to confirm they have the skills and training.

Fortunately, the training programs offer real-world scenarios to help students internalize these laws. In addition, state-specific MPJE study guides discuss unique laws a professional may find in their state, which prepares pharmacists for a particular market. So, why is acquiring pharmacy law knowledge essential for this profession? Here are the key reasons.

Medical Error Prevention

Medical errors can occur at the pharmacy. For instance, a pharmacist may dispense the wrong drugs or give an erroneous dosage to a patient with the correct prescription.

Such an error can be devastating because it can worsen a condition. The patient may not get well until you realize your mistake and advise them to discontinue the wrong medication. Such an error can even be fatal. Therefore, pharmacy laws foresee such an eventuality and set a checkpoint and standard to reduce such a risk.

For example, the law expects a pharmacist to verify the prescription before dispensing drugs. There are many ways to do that, and one method involves assessing the credentials of the prescriber. As such, you dispense medication after confirming a qualified medical practitioner gave the prescription.

Pharmacy law also sets drug labeling standards. Thus, a pharmacist should ensure the drugs dispensed have a label indicating the drug and patient name, dosage, and directions of use. On top of that, the drugs should have an expiration date. You also guide the patient on proper storage and handling as it affects the

Their work does not stop at dispensing drugs. No! A pharmacist should counsel the patient to understand new prescriptions and drug interactions. This critical step helps the patient know the likely reactions.

If you think medical errors at drug dispensing aren’t a serious issue, these errors are one of the causes of preventable patient harm. For instance, one study found that over 22% of the adverse events were preventable. Of the total adverse events identified, the most common were drug-related, about 39%.

Efficient Controlled Substance Management

The pharmacy can be an access point for people intending to use medication illegally. Thus, pharmacy law sets standards on how these professionals should prevent misuse or overdose of opioids and stimulants, among other controlled substances. 

Stephen Belleau, the acting Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge, says, ” It’s the responsibility of those handling controlled substances to maintain complete and accurate records.” Failure to do so can have legal implications for the pharmacy.

These records contain all information exchanged during a transaction, such as the inventory logs of all controlled substances received and dispensed. Such detail helps track stock. In addition, the details required by law include prescription verification to confirm that the patient presented a legitimate document without any signs of forgery.

Further, the pharmacist should show that they offered accurate dosing for the controlled substance to prevent over or under-treatment. There may also be periodic internal and external audits to examine these records and verify adherence to regulations. The law also requires a pharmacy to store controlled substances securely and give access to authorized people only.

Safeguarding Patient Privacy and Confidentiality

One of the ways to protect a patient is to keep their health information safe. Therefore, pharmacy law sets these guidelines.

For instance, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires you, the professional, to secure data and limit access. As such, the pharmacy should control who accesses the information, why, and for what purpose.

It’s also the responsibility of the pharmacy to secure communication, such as phone conversations. Privacy screens may also be necessary to secure conversations with patients at the counter. In addition to facing the wrath of regulators, disclosing patient information also affects trust between patients and pharmacists.

Upholding Professional Ethics

Pharmacy laws are the legal foundation for a pharmacist to act ethically. They define the dos and don’ts and prescribe the consequences of acting contrary.

Therefore, these laws reinforce ethical practice that streamlines this profession. Nevertheless, there’s a difference. The laws set the minimum standard of operations, explaining what’s permissible or what a pharmacist must do to operate within the law. As such, it explains what the law allows and what’s unacceptable.

On the other hand, ethics explain what’s right and fair for the patient, even where laws say nothing or are unclear. Ethics focus on values, judgment, and compassion. For instance, the law requires a pharmacy to provide counseling services to help patients understand how to use medication. Ethics demands pharmacists are clear and empathic while offering these services.

Laws Adapt to Healthcare Challenges

New pharmacy laws or amendments to existing ones help pharmacies adapt to healthcare challenges. For instance, as the world finds ways to mitigate emergencies, pharmacists require legal permission to provide emergency refills to patients who need help but lack the latest prescription.

Further, pharmacists help report adverse events, such as severe side effects caused by a drug. There are also laws to guide pharmacists in digital and remote healthcare services on verifying prescriptions.

Conclusion

Pharmacy law regulates a critical profession and protects the patient in many ways. For instance, it prevents medication errors caused by dispensing the wrong drugs. In addition, understanding the legal requirements of the profession ensures pharmacies have the right measures to manage controlled substances and protect information from patients.

This information includes phone conversations and patient data from telehealth services. As such, pharmacy law adapts to changes in the medical field, such as the rise in digital healthcare services.

Image by HeungSoon from Pixabay

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