Washington News: New Rule for Automated Drug Distribution Devices

July 1, 2007 11:53 AM Topics: Automated dispensing system

Published in the July 2007 Washington State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter

At its October 2006 meeting, the Washington State Board of Pharmacy adopted a new rule to set uniform standards for the use of automated drug distribution devices (ADDDs) for all health care facilities. The rule allows facilities the flexibility to achieve outcomes with different methods.

The rule, effective December 14, 2006, includes standards for drug storage, security, and accountability. It recognizes ADDDs as appropriate storage sites for controlled substances (CS) and permits the Board to waive the end-of-shift inventory counts if the system/device can verify the accuracy of the CS counts.

Facilities must continue to submit all new policies and procedures for the use of ADDDs to the Board for review and approval. Policies and procedures must comply with the rule. They must address access, stocking, security, record-keeping discrepancies, inventory, quality assurance, and improvement programs. [Chapter 246-872 WAC]