2018 Revised Code of Washington
Title 69 - FOOD, DRUGS, COSMETICS, AND POISONS
69.50 Uniform controlled substances act.
69.50.312 Electronic communication of prescription information—Commission may adopt rules.

RCW 69.50.312 Electronic communication of prescription information—Commission may adopt rules.

(1) Information concerning a prescription for a controlled substance included in Schedules II through V, or information concerning a refill authorization for a controlled substance included in Schedules III through V[,] may be electronically communicated to a pharmacy of the patient's choice pursuant to the provisions of this chapter if the electronically communicated prescription information complies with the following:

(a) Electronically communicated prescription information must comply with all applicable statutes and rules regarding the form, content, recordkeeping, and processing of a prescription for a legend drug;

(b) The system used for transmitting electronically communicated prescription information must be approved by the commission and in accordance with federal rules for electronically communicated prescriptions for controlled substance[s] included in Schedules II through V, as set forth in Title 21 C.F.R. Parts 1300, 1304, 1306, and 1311. This subsection does not apply to currently used facsimile equipment transmitting an exact visual image of the prescription. The commission shall maintain and provide, upon request, a list of systems used for electronically communicating prescription information currently approved by the commission;

(c) An explicit opportunity for practitioners must be made to indicate their preference on whether a therapeutically equivalent generic drug may be substituted;

(d) Prescription drug orders are confidential health information, and may be released only to the patient or the patient's authorized representative, the prescriber or other authorized practitioner then caring for the patient, or other persons specifically authorized by law to receive such information;

(e) To maintain confidentiality of prescription records, the electronic system shall have adequate security and systems safeguards designed to prevent and detect unauthorized access, modification, or manipulation of these records. The pharmacist in charge shall establish or verify the existence of policies and procedures which ensure the integrity and confidentiality of prescription information transmitted to the pharmacy by electronic means. All managers, employees, and agents of the pharmacy are required to read, sign, and comply with the established policies and procedures; and

(f) The pharmacist shall exercise professional judgment regarding the accuracy, validity, and authenticity of the prescription drug order received by way of electronic transmission, consistent with federal and state laws and rules and guidelines of the commission.

(2) The commission may adopt rules implementing this section.

[ 2013 c 276 § 4; 2013 c 19 § 105; 1998 c 222 § 4.]

NOTES:

Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2013 c 19 § 105 and by 2013 c 276 § 4, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).