New Mexico News: Rule Change

September 1, 2009 4:38 pm

Published in the September 2009 New Mexico Board of Pharmacy Newsletter

NMAC 16.19.8, Wholesale Prescription Drug Distribution:
On June 30, 2009, the Board adopted a significant number of changes to Rule 8. The changes were in line with most of the other states and are designed to protect our nation’s drug supply from counterfeit drugs. There are numerous new definitions including authorized distributor of record and normal distribution chain. The new pedigree requirements for prescription drugs and the extensive background information required through the application process will help the Board discern and screen for unscrupulous operators. Rule 8 also incorporates new security requirements for wholesale distributors utilizing common carriers. Those new requirements are as follows:
♦ A procedure that ensures all common carriers contracted with or utilized by the wholesale distributor conduct a criminal background check and drug screen of the employees whose responsibilities include the handling of prescription drugs.
♦ A procedure for conducting periodic assessments of the security provisions of common carriers that at a minimum must specify that vehicles must be secured by locks on all doors and windows when the driver is not present, there shall be no unapproved stops during the delivery route and that the vehicle must not be left running in the absence of the driver.
♦ A procedure or set of procedures designed to address high-risk deliveries that may require the common carrier to make deliveries only to highly-visible, well-lit locations during certain prescribed time periods agreed upon with the customer and the use of