South Dakota News: Rules of Professional Conduct

October 1, 2006 10:10 AM Topics: Pharmacists

Published in the October 2006 South Dakota State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter

Administrative Rule of South Dakota (ARSD) 20:51:16 addresses rules that every pharmacist should follow when practicing pharmacy. ARSD 20:51:16:03 addresses the pharmacist’s relation to the public; these rules are very straight forward.

Safeguarding the public means using every precaution from labeling correctly and dispensing the right product, to providing counseling to the patient.

When dispensing prescriptions, pharmacists are reminded to ask the proper questions. When a prescription is called in or transferred from another pharmacy, be sure and check for identification, especially when someone other than the patient is picking up the prescription. Confirm that they have legitimate authority from the patient and are a relative or caregiver.

There are cases where prescription numbers are called in for refill for controlled and other prescriptions and picked up by someone impersonating the patient or patient’s family. Fraudulent schemes are used to gain access to prescription medication by individuals with drug addictions or with criminal intent to distribute.

Pharmacists must safeguard the public and our community’s drug supply. This is what professional pharmacists are expected to do.