NABP Amendments to Model Act Focus on Improved Quality and Safety in Patient Care

September 9, 2010 2:50 PM

NABP amended the Model State Pharmacy Act and Model Rules of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (Model Act) to reflect the increased utilization of computer technology, to address improved quality and safety measures in patient care, and as an outcome of task force and committee recommendations, which were approved by the NABP Executive Committee. The amendments included the following:

• Two additions were made to the required components of a valid prescription drug order.
• The title of Appendix G was changed to Model Prescription Monitoring Program Act.
• Appendix G of the Model Act was amended to help ensure that prescription monitoring programs (PMPs) serve two critical purposes: 
  1. assisting the pharmacist and prescriber in assessing patient information and providing appropriate patient care, and
  2. assisting law enforcement efforts in identifying and acting in regard to instances of drug abuse and diversion.

More information on the amendments to the Model Act is available in a September 2010 NABP Newsletter article. The updated Model Act can be accessed on the NABP Web site under Publications.