PART 15. TEXAS STATE BOARD OF PHARMACY
CHAPTER 291. PHARMACIES
SUBCHAPTER A. ALL CLASSES OF PHARMACIES
The Texas State Board of Pharmacy adopts new rule §291.12, concerning Delivery of Prescription Drugs. The new rule is adopted with changes to the proposed text as published in the March 22, 2024, issue of the Texas Register (49 TexReg 1852). The rule will be republished.
The new rule specifies requirements for the delivery of prescription drugs to a patient or patient's agent.
The Board received comments from the Texas Federation of Drug Stores and Jeenu Philip, R.Ph., with Walgreen Co. suggesting the removal of the requirement for pharmacies to maintain records of patient complaints regarding compromised deliveries.
The Board received comments from Lauren Paul, PharmD, with CVS Health expressing concern that the proposed rule does not address distribution from drug manufacturers and wholesalers and suggesting changes to the temperature requirements for delivery by pharmacy employee or same-day courier service.
The Board received comments from Anne Titus Hilby, Deputy General Counsel, with Zipline International Inc. in support of the proposed rule.
The Board received comments from the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association expressing concern about the economic impact of the proposed rule and the lack of a definition for the term "temperature range" and suggesting changes to the general requirements for delivery by common carrier and the counseling information, notification, and compromised delivery requirements for all deliveries.
The Board received comments from A.J. Day, PharmD, with PCCA suggesting clarification of the packaging requirements for delivery by common carrier and the temperature requirements for delivery by pharmacy employee or same-day courier service and suggesting a grammatical correction to the compromised delivery requirements for all deliveries.
The Board received comments from Austin Compounding Pharmacy in support of the proposed rule, expressing concern that certain requirements are vague, and suggesting the notification of delivery requirement for delivery by pharmacy employee or same-day courier service be limited to "through reasonable means."
The new rule is adopted under §§551.002 and 554.051 of the Texas Pharmacy Act (Chapters 551 - 569, Texas Occupations Code). The Board interprets §551.002 as authorizing the agency to protect the public through the effective control and regulation of the practice of pharmacy. The Board interprets §554.051(a) as authorizing the agency to adopt rules for the proper administration and enforcement of the Act.
The statutes affected by this adoption: Texas Pharmacy Act, Chapters 551 - 569, Texas Occupations Code.
§291.12.Delivery of Prescription Drugs.
(a) Applicability. This section applies to the delivery of prescription drugs by a pharmacy licensed by the board as a Class A, Class A-S, Class E, or Class E-S pharmacy.
(b) Delivery by common carrier. A pharmacy may deliver prescription drugs by use of a common carrier (e.g., U.S. Mail) as provided in §291.9 of this title (relating to Prescription Pick Up Locations) on request of the patient or patient's agent. Common carrier means a person or entity who holds out to the general public a willingness to provide transportation of property from place to place for compensation in the normal course of business. A pharmacy that delivers prescription drugs by use of a common carrier providing a same-day courier service is not subject to subsection (b) of this section and shall comply with subsection (c) of this section.
(1) Standards. The pharmacy shall ensure that all prescription drugs are delivered to the patient or patient's agent in accordance with nationally recognized standards, such as those of the manufacturer or the United States Pharmacopeia.
(2) Packaging. The pharmacy shall ensure that prescription drugs are packaged in commercially available tamper evident packaging.
(3) Temperature. The pharmacy shall ensure that any prescription drug delivered by common carrier is packaged in a manner that maintains a temperature range appropriate for the drug. This may include, without limitation, use of temperature tags, time temperature strips, insulated packaging, gel ice packs, or a combination of these as necessary.
(4) Irregularity in delivery. The pharmacy shall provide a method by which a patient or patient's agent can notify the pharmacy as to any irregularity in the delivery of the patient's prescription, to include but not be limited to:
(A) timeliness of delivery;
(B) condition of the prescription drug upon delivery; and
(C) failure to receive the proper prescription drug.
(5) Refusal to deliver. The pharmacy shall refuse to deliver by common carrier a prescription drug which in the professional opinion of the dispensing pharmacist may be clinically compromised by delivery by common carrier.
(c) Delivery by pharmacy employee or common carrier providing a same-day courier service. A pharmacy may deliver prescription drugs by means of its employee or a common carrier providing a same-day courier service as provided in §291.9 of this title on request of the patient or patient's agent.
(1) Standards. The pharmacy is responsible for any problems in the delivery of the prescription drug.
(2) Temperature. The prescription drug shall be maintained within the temperature range allowed by the United States Pharmacopeia or recommended by the manufacturer until the delivery has been received by the patient or patient's agent.
(d) All deliveries. A pharmacy that delivers prescription drugs by common carrier or by pharmacy employee or by a common carrier providing a same-day courier service shall also comply with the following:
(1) Counseling information. The pharmacy shall comply with the requirements of §291.33(c)(1)(F) of this title (relating to Operational Standards).
(2) Notification of delivery. The pharmacy shall notify the patient or patient's agent of the delivery of a prescription drug.
(3) Compromised delivery. If a pharmacist determines a prescription drug is in any way compromised during delivery, the pharmacy shall replace the drug or arrange for the drug to be replaced, either by promptly delivering a replacement to the patient or by promptly contacting the prescriber to arrange for the drug to be dispensed to the patient by a pharmacy of the patient's or patient's agent's choice.
(4) Records. The pharmacy shall maintain records for two years on the following events:
(A) when a prescription drug was sent and delivered to the patient or patient's agent; and
(B) patient complaints regarding compromised deliveries, which may be documented in the patient profile.
(5) Controlled substances. A pharmacy shall comply with all state and federal laws and rules relating to the delivery of controlled substances.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 21, 2024.
TRD-202402269
Daniel Carroll, Pharm.D.
Executive Director
Texas State Board of Pharmacy
Effective date: June 10, 2024
Proposal publication date: March 22, 2024
For further information, please call: (512) 305-8084
The Texas State Board of Pharmacy adopts amendments to §291.131, concerning Pharmacies Compounding Non-Sterile Preparations. These amendments are adopted with changes to the proposed text as published in the March 22, 2024, issue of the Texas Register (49 TexReg 1854). The rule will be republished.
The amendments update the personnel, environment, labeling, compounding process, quality assurance, and recordkeeping requirements for pharmacies compounding non-sterile preparations.
The Board received comments from A.J. Day, PharmD, with PCCA suggesting changes to specific definitions, personnel requirements, operational standards, and recordkeeping requirements, and clarifying certain continuing education, equipment, labeling, component, quality assurance, and quality control requirements,
The Board received comments from Austin Compounding Pharmacy in support of the amendments and expressing concern the requirement that a master formulation record "shall be developed and approved by a pharmacist" may exclude qualified and experienced non-pharmacist staff from supporting formulation development, and suggesting the requirement be changed to require only that a pharmacist be responsible for final approval of the formulation.
The amendments are adopted under §§551.002 and 554.051 of the Texas Pharmacy Act (Chapters 551 - 569, Texas Occupations Code). The Board interprets §551.002 as authorizing the agency to protect the public through the effective control and regulation of the practice of pharmacy. The Board interprets §554.051(a) as authorizing the agency to adopt rules for the proper administration and enforcement of the Act.
The statutes affected by this adoption: Texas Pharmacy Act, Chapters 551 - 569, Texas Occupations Code.
§291.131.Pharmacies Compounding Non-Sterile Preparations.
(a) Purpose. Pharmacies compounding non-sterile preparations, prepackaging pharmaceutical products, and distributing those products shall comply with all requirements for their specific license classification and this section. The purpose of this section is to provide standards for the:
(1) compounding of non-sterile preparations pursuant to a prescription or medication order for a patient from a practitioner in Class A (Community), Class C (Institutional), and Class E (Non-resident) pharmacies;
(2) compounding, dispensing, and delivery of a reasonable quantity of a compounded non-sterile preparation in a Class A (Community), Class C (Institutional), and Class E (Non-resident) pharmacy to a practitioner's office for office use by the practitioner;
(3) compounding and distribution of compounded non-sterile preparations by a Class A (Community) pharmacy for a Class C (Institutional) pharmacy; and
(4) compounding of non-sterile preparations by a Class C (Institutional) pharmacy and the distribution of the compounded preparations to other Class C (Institutional) pharmacies under common ownership.
(b) Definitions. In addition to the definitions for specific license classifications, the following words and terms, when used in this section, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
(1) Active pharmaceutical ingredient--Any substance intended to be used in the compounding of a preparation, thereby becoming the active ingredient in that preparation and furnishing pharmacological activity or other direct effect in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in humans or animals or affecting the structure and function of the body.
(2) Beyond-use date--The date or time after which the compounded non-sterile preparation shall not be stored or transported or begin to be administered to a patient. The beyond-use date is determined from the date or time when the preparation was compounded.
(3) Cleaning--The process of removing soil (e.g., organic and inorganic material) from objects and surfaces, normally accomplished by manually or mechanically using water with detergents or enzymatic products.
(4) Component--Any ingredient intended for use in the compounding of a drug preparation, including those that may not appear in such preparation.
(5) Compounding--The preparation, mixing, assembling, packaging, or labeling of a drug or device:
(A) as the result of a practitioner's prescription drug or medication order, based on the practitioner-patient-pharmacist relationship in the course of professional practice;
(B) for administration to a patient by a practitioner as the result of a practitioner's initiative based on the practitioner-patient-pharmacist relationship in the course of professional practice;
(C) in anticipation of prescription drug or medication orders based on routine, regularly observed prescribing patterns; or
(D) for or as an incident to research, teaching, or chemical analysis and not for sale or dispensing, except as allowed under §562.154 or Chapter 563 of the Occupations Code.
(6) Containment primary engineering control--A ventilated device designed and operated to minimize worker and environmental exposures to airborne contaminants through the full or partial enclosure of a potential contaminant source, the use of airflow capture velocities to trap and remove airborne contaminants near their point of generation, the use of air pressure relationships that define the direction of airflow into the cabinet, and the use of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration on all potentially contaminated exhaust streams. Examples of containment primary engineering control include containment ventilated enclosures, biological safety cabinets, and compounding aseptic containment isolators.
(7) Controlled room temperature--The temperature maintained thermostatically that encompasses the usual and customary working environment of 20 - 25 degrees C (68 - 77 degrees F).
(8) Designated person(s)--One or more individuals assigned by the pharmacist-in-charge or the pharmacist-in-charge's designee to be responsible and accountable for the performance and operation of the facility and personnel as related to the preparation of compounded non-sterile preparations.
(9) Hot water--The temperature of water from the pharmacy's sink maintained at a minimum of 41 degrees C (105 degrees F).
(10) Reasonable quantity--An amount of a compounded drug that:
(A) does not exceed the amount a practitioner anticipates may be used in the practitioner's office or facility before the beyond use date of the drug;
(B) is reasonable considering the intended use of the compounded drug and the nature of the practitioner's practice; and
(C) for any practitioner and all practitioners as a whole, is not greater than an amount the pharmacy is capable of compounding in compliance with pharmaceutical standards for identity, strength, quality, and purity of the compounded drug that are consistent with United States Pharmacopoeia guidelines and accreditation practices.
(11) Refrigerator--A cold place in which the temperature is controlled between 2 - 8 degrees C (36 - 46 degrees F).
(12) Sanitizing--A process for reducing on inanimate surfaces the number of all forms of microbial life including fungi, viruses, and bacteria using an appropriate agent.
(13) SOPs--Standard operating procedures.
(14) USP/NF--The current edition of the United States Pharmacopeia/National Formulary.
(15) Water activity--A measure of the fraction of total water that is unbound and freely available to participate in chemical, biochemical, or physiochemical reactions or provide an environment that can support microbial growth.
(c) Personnel. All personnel who compound or have direct oversight of compounding non-sterile preparations shall be initially trained and qualified by demonstrating knowledge and competency in the areas outlined in paragraph (5)(C) of this subsection.
(1) Pharmacist-in-charge. In addition to the responsibilities for the specific class of pharmacy, the pharmacist-in-charge shall have the responsibility for, at a minimum, the following concerning non-sterile compounding:
(A) determining that all personnel involved in non-sterile compounding possess the education, training, and proficiency necessary to properly and safely perform compounding duties undertaken or supervised;
(B) determining that all personnel involved in non-sterile compounding obtain continuing education appropriate for the type of compounding done by the personnel;
(C) assuring that the equipment used in compounding is properly maintained;
(D) maintaining an appropriate environment in areas where non-sterile compounding occurs; and
(E) assuring that effective quality control procedures are developed and followed.
(2) Designated person(s). The pharmacist-in-charge or the pharmacist-in-charge's designee shall designate one or more individuals to be responsible and accountable for the performance and operation of the facility and personnel for the preparation of compounded non-sterile preparations. The designated person(s) shall be identified in the facility's SOPs. If the compounding facility has only one person responsible for all compounding in the facility, then that person is the designated person.
(3) Pharmacists. Special requirements for non-sterile compounding.
(A) All pharmacists engaged in compounding shall:
(i) possess the education, training, and proficiency necessary to properly and safely perform compounding duties undertaken or supervised; and
(ii) obtain continuing education appropriate for the type of compounding undertaken or supervised by the pharmacist.
(B) A pharmacist shall inspect and approve all components, including consideration of all physical and chemical properties of the components, drug product containers, closures, labeling, and any other materials involved in the compounding process.
(C) A pharmacist shall review all compounding records for accuracy and conduct in-process and final checks to ensure that errors have not occurred in the compounding process.
(D) A pharmacist is responsible for the proper maintenance, cleanliness, and use of all equipment used in the compounding process.
(4) Pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees. All pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees engaged in non-sterile compounding shall:
(A) possess the education, training, and proficiency necessary to properly and safely perform compounding duties undertaken;
(B) obtain continuing education appropriate for the type of compounding done by the pharmacy technician or pharmacy technician trainee; and
(C) perform compounding duties under the direct supervision of and responsible to a pharmacist.
(5) Training.
(A) All training activities shall be documented and covered by appropriate SOPs as outlined in subsection (d)(8)(A) of this section.
(B) All personnel involved in non-sterile compounding shall be well trained and must participate in continuing relevant training programs.
(C) Training shall include instruction, experience, and demonstrated proficiency in the following areas:
(i) hand hygiene;
(ii) garbing;
(iii) cleaning and sanitizing;
(iv) handling and transporting components and compounded non-sterile preparations;
(v) measuring and mixing;
(vi) proper use of equipment and devices selected to compound non-sterile preparations; and
(vii) documentation of the compounding process (e.g., Master Formulation Records and Compounding Records).
(d) Operational Standards.
(1) General requirements.
(A) Non-sterile drug preparations may be compounded in licensed pharmacies:
(i) upon presentation of a practitioner's prescription drug or medication order based on a valid pharmacist/patient/prescriber relationship;
(ii) in anticipation of future prescription drug or medication orders based on routine, regularly observed prescribing patterns; or
(iii) in reasonable quantities for office use by a practitioner and for use by a veterinarian.
(B) Non-sterile compounding in anticipation of future prescription drug or medication orders must be based upon a history of receiving valid prescriptions issued within an established pharmacist/patient/prescriber relationship, provided that in the pharmacist's professional judgment the quantity prepared is stable for the anticipated shelf time.
(i) The pharmacist's professional judgment shall be based on the criteria used to determine a beyond-use date outlined in paragraph (5)(C) of this subsection.
(ii) Documentation of the criteria used to determine the stability for the anticipated shelf time must be maintained and be available for inspection.
(iii) Any preparation compounded in anticipation of future prescription drug or medication orders shall be labeled. Such label shall contain:
(I) name and strength of the compounded preparation or list of the active ingredients and strengths;
(II) facility's lot number;
(III) beyond-use date as determined by the pharmacist using appropriate documented criteria as outlined in paragraph (5)(C) of this subsection; and
(IV) quantity or amount in the container.
(C) Commercially available products may be compounded for dispensing to individual patients provided the following conditions are met:
(i) the commercial product is not reasonably available from normal distribution channels in a timely manner to meet patient's needs;
(ii) the pharmacy maintains documentation that the product is not reasonably available due to a drug shortage or unavailability from the manufacturer; and
(iii) the prescribing practitioner has requested that the drug be compounded as described in subparagraph (D) of this paragraph.
(D) A pharmacy may not compound preparations that are essentially copies of commercially available products (e.g., the preparation is dispensed in a strength that is only slightly different from a commercially available product) unless the prescribing practitioner specifically orders the strength or dosage form and specifies why the patient needs the particular strength or dosage form of the preparation. The prescribing practitioner shall provide documentation of a patient specific medical need and the preparation produces a clinically significant therapeutic response (e.g., the physician requests an alternate product due to hypersensitivity to excipients or preservative in the FDA-approved product, or the physician requests an effective alternate dosage form) or if the drug product is not commercially available. The unavailability of such drug product must be documented prior to compounding. The methodology for documenting unavailability includes maintaining a copy of the wholesaler's notification showing back-ordered, discontinued, or out-of-stock items. This documentation must be available in hard-copy or electronic format for inspection by the board.
(E) A pharmacy may enter into an agreement to compound and dispense prescription/medication orders for another pharmacy provided the pharmacy complies with the provisions of §291.125 of this title (relating to Centralized Prescription Dispensing).
(F) Compounding pharmacies/pharmacists may advertise and promote the fact that they provide non-sterile prescription compounding services, which may include specific drug products and classes of drugs.
(G) A pharmacy may not compound veterinary preparations for use in food producing animals except in accordance with federal guidelines.
(H) A pharmacist may add flavoring to a prescription at the request of a patient, the patient's agent, or the prescriber. The pharmacist shall label the flavored prescription with a beyond-use-date that shall be no longer than fourteen days if stored in a refrigerator unless otherwise documented. Documentation of beyond-use-dates longer than fourteen days shall be maintained by the pharmacy electronically or manually and made available to agents of the board on request. A pharmacist may not add flavoring to an over-the-counter product at the request of a patient or patient's agent unless the pharmacist obtains a prescription for the over-the-counter product from the patient's practitioner.
(2) Library. In addition to the library requirements of the pharmacy's specific license classification, a pharmacy shall maintain a current copy, in hard-copy or electronic format, of Chapter 795 of the USP/NF concerning Pharmacy Compounding Non-Sterile Preparations.
(3) Environment.
(A) Pharmacies engaging in compounding shall have a designated and adequate area for the safe and orderly compounding of non-sterile preparations, including the placement of equipment and materials.
(B) Only personnel authorized by the responsible pharmacist shall be in the immediate vicinity of a drug compounding operation.
(C) A sink with hot and cold running water, exclusive of rest room facilities, shall be accessible to the compounding areas and be maintained in a sanitary condition. Supplies necessary for adequate washing shall be accessible in the immediate area of the sink and include:
(i) soap or detergent; and
(ii) air-driers or single-use towels.
(D) Appropriate measures shall be used to prevent cross-contamination between compounding non-sterile preparations, including dedication of equipment for such operations or the meticulous cleaning of contaminated equipment prior to its use for the preparation of subsequent compounds.
(E) Cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces in the non-sterile compounding area(s) shall occur on a regular basis as defined in appropriate SOPs as outlined in paragraph (8)(A) of this subsection.
(4) Equipment and Supplies.
(A) If the pharmacy engages in compounding non-sterile preparations that require weighing a component of the preparation, the pharmacy shall have a Class A prescription balance, or analytical balance and weights which shall be calibrated and have the accuracy of the balance verified by the pharmacy at least every 12 months as specified in the pharmacy's SOPs. The pharmacy shall document the calibration and verification.
(B) The pharmacy shall have equipment and utensils necessary for the proper compounding of prescription drug or medication orders. Such equipment and utensils used in the compounding process shall be:
(i) of appropriate design and capacity, and be operated within designed operational limits;
(ii) of suitable composition so that surfaces that contact components, in-process material, or drug products shall not be reactive, additive, or absorptive so as to alter the safety, identity, strength, quality, or purity of the drug product beyond the desired result;
(iii) cleaned and sanitized immediately prior to and after each use; and
(iv) routinely inspected, calibrated (if necessary), or checked to ensure proper performance.
(C) Weighing, measuring, or otherwise manipulating components that could generate airborne chemical particles (e.g., active pharmaceutical ingredients, added substances, and conventionally manufactured products) shall be evaluated to determine if these activities must be performed in a containment primary engineering control to reduce the potential exposure to personnel or contamination of the facility or compounded non-sterile preparations. The process evaluation shall be carried out in accordance with the facility's SOPs, and the assessment shall be documented.
(D) If a containment ventilated enclosure or biological safety cabinet is used, it shall be certified at least every 12 months or according to manufacturer specifications.
(5) Labeling. In addition to the labeling requirements of the pharmacy's specific license classification, the label dispensed or distributed pursuant to a prescription drug or medication order shall contain the following.
(A) The generic name(s) or the official name(s) of the principal active ingredient(s) of the compounded preparation.
(B) A statement that the preparation has been compounded by the pharmacy. (An auxiliary label may be used on the container to meet this requirement).
(C) A beyond-use date after which the compounded preparation should not be used. The beyond-use date shall be determined as outlined in Chapter 795 of the USP/NF concerning Pharmacy Compounding Non-Sterile Preparations including the following:
(i) The pharmacist shall consider:
(I) physical and chemical properties of active ingredients;
(II) use of preservatives and/or stabilizing agents;
(III) dosage form;
(IV) storage containers and conditions; and
(V) scientific, laboratory, or reference data from a peer reviewed source and retained in the pharmacy. The reference data should follow the same preparation instructions for combining components and packaged in a container with similar properties.
(ii) In the absence of stability information applicable for a specific drug or preparation, the following maximum beyond-use dates are to be used when the compounded preparation is packaged in tight, light-resistant containers.
(I) Aqueous dosage forms. An aqueous preparation is one that has a water activity equal to or greater than 0.6 (e.g., emulsions, gels, creams, solutions, sprays, or suspensions).
(-a-) Nonpreserved aqueous dosage forms: Not later than 14 days when stored in a refrigerator.
(-b-) Preserved aqueous dosage forms: Not later than 35 days when stored at controlled room temperature or in a refrigerator.
(II) Nonaqueous dosage forms. A nonaqueous dosage form is one that has a water activity less than 0.6.
(-a-) Nonaqueous oral liquids: Not later than 90 days when stored at controlled room temperature or in a refrigerator.
(-b-) Other nonaqueous dosage forms: Not later than 180 days when stored at controlled room temperature or refrigerator. Other nonaqueous dosage forms that have a water activity of less than 0.6 (e.g., capsules, tablets, granules, powders, nonaqueous topicals, suppositories, and troches or lozenges).
(iii) Compounded non-sterile preparations requiring shorter beyond-use dates. The beyond-use dates in subclauses (I) and (II) of clause (ii) are the beyond-use dates for compounded nonsterile preparations in the absence of specific stability information. However, the designated person(s) shall still perform due diligence to determine if there is existing stability data that would require a shorter beyond-use date.
(I) The beyond-use date of the compounded non-sterile preparation shall not exceed the shortest remaining expiration date of any of the commercially available starting components.
(II) For compounded non-sterile preparations prepared from one or more compounded components, the beyond-use date generally shall not exceed the shortest beyond-use date of any of the individual compounded components. However, there may be acceptable instances when the beyond-use date of the final compounded non-sterile preparation exceeds the beyond-use date assigned to compounded components (e.g., pH-altering solutions). If the assigned beyond-use date of the final compounded non-sterile preparation exceeds the beyond-use date of the compounded components, the physical, chemical, and microbiological quality of the final compounded non-sterile preparation shall not be negatively impacted.
(iv) Extending beyond-use dates for compounded non-sterile preparations. Beyond-use date limits may be exceeded when supported by valid scientific stability information for the specific compounded preparation.
(I) Compounded non-sterile preparations with a USP/NF monograph. When compounding from a USP/NF compounded preparation monograph for the compounded non-sterile preparation, the beyond-use date shall not exceed the beyond-use date specified in the monograph.
(II) Compounded non-sterile preparations with stability information. If there is a stability study using a stability-indicating analytical method for the active pharmaceutical ingredient(s), compounded non-sterile preparation formulation, and material of composition of the container closure that will be used, then the beyond-use date indicated by the study may be used in lieu of the beyond-use date specified in subclauses (I) and (II) of clause (ii) for aqueous and nonaqueous dosage forms, up to a maximum of 180 days.
(III) If the beyond-use date of the compounded non-sterile preparation is extended beyond the beyond-use date specified in subclauses (I) and (II) of clause (ii), an aqueous compounded non-sterile preparation must pass antimicrobial effectiveness testing.
(-a-) The designated person(s) may rely on antimicrobial effectiveness testing that is conducted, or contracted for, once for each formulation in the particular container closure system, including materials of composition or the container closure system, in which it will be packaged.
(-b-) Alternatively, the designated person(s) may rely on antimicrobial effectiveness testing results provided by an FDA-registered facility or published in peer-reviewed literature as long as the compounded non-sterile preparation formulation, including any preservative, and container closure materials of composition are the same as those tested, unless a bracketing study is performed.
(-c-) When a bracketing study is performed, antimicrobial effectiveness testing may be performed on a low concentration and on a high concentration of the active ingredient in the formulation to establish preservative effectiveness across various strengths of the same formulation (e.g., bracketing). The concentration of all other ingredients, including preservatives, must fall within the bracketed range.
(6) Written drug information. Written information about the compounded preparation or its major active ingredient(s) shall be given to the patient at the time of dispensing. A statement which indicates that the preparation was compounded by the pharmacy must be included in this written information. If there is no written information available, the patient should be advised that the drug has been compounded and how to contact a pharmacist, and if appropriate the prescriber, concerning the drug.
(7) Drugs, components, and materials used in non-sterile compounding.
(A) Drugs used in non-sterile compounding shall be USP/NF grade substances manufactured in an FDA-registered facility.
(B) If USP/NF grade substances are not available, or when food, cosmetics, or other substances are or must be used, the substance shall be of a chemical grade in one of the following categories:
(i) Chemically Pure (CP);
(ii) Analytical Reagent (AR); or
(iii) American Chemical Society (ACS); or
(iv) Food Chemical Codex; or
(C) If a drug, component, or material is not purchased from an FDA-registered facility, the pharmacist shall establish purity and stability by obtaining a Certificate of Analysis from the supplier and the pharmacist shall compare the monograph of drugs in a similar class to the Certificate of Analysis.
(D) A manufactured drug product may be a source of active ingredient. Only manufactured drugs from containers labeled with a batch control number and a future expiration date are acceptable as a potential source of active ingredients. When compounding with manufactured drug products, the pharmacist must consider all ingredients present in the drug product relative to the intended use of the compounded preparation.
(E) All components shall be stored in properly labeled containers in a clean, dry area, under proper temperatures.
(F) Drug product containers and closures shall not be reactive, additive, or absorptive so as to alter the safety, identity, strength, quality, or purity of the compounded drug product beyond the desired result.
(G) Components, drug product containers, and closures shall be rotated so that the oldest stock is used first.
(H) Container closure systems shall provide adequate protection against foreseeable external factors in storage and use that can cause deterioration or contamination of the compounded drug product.
(I) A pharmacy may not compound a preparation that contains ingredients appearing on a federal Food and Drug Administration list of drug products withdrawn or removed from the market for safety reasons.
(8) Compounding process.
(A) All significant procedures performed in the compounding area shall be covered by written SOPs designed to ensure accountability, accuracy, quality, safety, and uniformity in the compounding process. At a minimum, SOPs shall be developed for:
(i) the facility;
(ii) equipment;
(iii) personnel;
(iv) preparation evaluation;
(v) quality assurance;
(vi) preparation recall;
(vii) packaging;
(viii) storage of compounded preparations;
(ix) hand hygiene and garbing; and
(x) cleaning and sanitizing.
(B) Any compounded preparation with an official monograph in the USP/NF shall be compounded, labeled, and packaged in conformity with the USP/NF monograph for the drug.
(C) Any person with a communicable illness or open lesion that may adversely affect the safety or quality of a drug product being compounded shall report these conditions to the designated person(s). The designated person(s) shall determine whether the person must be excluded from compounding areas until the person's conditions have resolved.
(D) Personnel engaged in the compounding of drug preparations shall perform proper hand hygiene prior to engaging in compounding activities. Proper hand hygiene shall be defined in appropriate SOPs as outlined in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph and appropriate for prevention of preparation and facility contamination.
(E) Garbing requirements and the frequency of changing garb shall be determined by the pharmacy and documented in appropriate SOPs as outlined in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph. The garbing requirements under the pharmacy's SOPs must be appropriate for the type of compounding performed. Gloves shall be worn for the prevention of preparation and facility contamination.
(F) At each step of the compounding process, the pharmacist shall ensure that components used in compounding are accurately weighed, measured, or subdivided as appropriate to conform to the formula being prepared.
(9) Quality Assurance.
(A) Initial formula validation. Prior to routine compounding of a non-sterile preparation, a pharmacy shall conduct an evaluation that shows that the pharmacy is capable of compounding a product that contains the stated amount of active ingredient(s).
(B) Finished preparation checks. The prescription drug and medication orders, written compounding procedure, preparation records, and expended materials used to make compounded non-sterile preparations shall be inspected for accuracy of correct identities and amounts of ingredients, packaging, labeling, and expected physical appearance and properties before the non-sterile preparations are dispensed.
(10) Quality Control.
(A) The pharmacy shall follow established quality control procedures to monitor the quality of compounded drug preparations for uniformity and consistency such as capsule weight variations, adequacy of mixing, clarity, or pH of solutions. When developing these procedures, pharmacy personnel shall consider the provisions of Chapter 795, concerning Pharmacy Compounding Non-Sterile Preparations, Chapter 1075, concerning Good Compounding Practices, and Chapter 1160, concerning Pharmaceutical Calculations in Prescription Compounding contained in the current USP/NF. Such procedures shall be documented and be available for inspection.
(B) Compounding procedures that are routinely performed, including batch compounding, shall be completed and verified according to written procedures. The act of verification of a compounding procedure involves checking to ensure that calculations, weighing and measuring, order of mixing, and compounding techniques were appropriate and accurately performed.
(C) Unless otherwise indicated or appropriate, compounded preparations are to be prepared to ensure that each preparation shall contain not less than 90.0 percent and not more than 110.0 percent of the theoretically calculated and labeled quantity of active ingredient per unit weight or volume and not less than 90.0 percent and not more than 110.0 percent of the theoretically calculated weight or volume per unit of the preparation.
(e) Records.
(1) Maintenance of records. Every record required by this section shall be:
(A) kept by the pharmacy and be available, for at least two years, for inspecting and copying by the board or its representative and to other authorized local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies; and
(B) supplied by the pharmacy within 72 hours, if requested by an authorized agent of the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. If the pharmacy maintains the records in an electronic format, the requested records must be provided in an electronic format. Failure to provide the records set out in this section, either on site or within 72 hours, constitutes prima facie evidence of failure to keep and maintain records in violation of the Act.
(C) Documentation of the performance of quality control procedures is not required if the compounding process is done pursuant to a patient specific order and involves the mixing of two or more commercially available oral liquids or commercially available preparations when the final product is intended for external use.
(2) Master Formulation Record and Compounding Record.
(A) Master Formulation Record. A master formulation record shall be developed and approved by a pharmacist for all compounded preparations. Once approved, a duplicate of the master formulation record shall be used as the compound record each time the compound is prepared and on which all documentation for that compound occurs. The master formulation record shall contain at a minimum:
(i) the formula;
(ii) the components;
(iii) the compounding directions;
(iv) evaluation and testing requirements;
(v) specific equipment used during preparation;
(vi) storage requirements;
(vii) a reference to the location of the following documentation which may be maintained with other records, such as quality control records:
(I) the criteria used to determine the beyond-use date; and
(II) documentation of performance of quality control procedures, including, but not limited to, expected physical appearance of the final product.
(B) Compounding Record. The record for each preparation shall document the following:
(i) identity of all components and their corresponding amounts, concentrations, or volumes;
(ii) lot number and expiration date of each component;
(iii) component manufacturer/distributor or suitable identifying number;
(iv) container specifications;
(v) unique lot or control number;
(vi) beyond use date;
(vii) date of preparation;
(viii) name, initials, or electronic signature of the person(s) involved in the preparation;
(ix) name, initials, or electronic signature of the responsible pharmacist;
(x) finished preparation evaluation and testing specifications, if applicable; and
(xi) comparison of actual yield to anticipated or theoretical yield, when appropriate.
(f) Office Use Compounding and Distribution of Compounded Preparations to Class C Pharmacies or Veterinarians in Accordance With §563.054 of the Act.
(1) General.
(A) A pharmacy may dispense and deliver a reasonable quantity of a compounded preparation to a practitioner for office use by the practitioner in accordance with this subsection.
(B) A Class A pharmacy is not required to register or be licensed under Chapter 431, Health and Safety Code, to distribute non-sterile compounded preparations to a Class C pharmacy.
(C) A Class C pharmacy is not required to register or be licensed under Chapter 431, Health and Safety Code, to distribute non-sterile compounded preparations that the Class C pharmacy has compounded for other Class C pharmacies under common ownership.
(D) To dispense and deliver a compounded preparation under this subsection, a pharmacy must:
(i) verify the source of the raw materials to be used in a compounded drug;
(ii) comply with applicable United States Pharmacopoeia guidelines, including the testing requirements, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Pub. L. No. 104-191);
(iii) enter into a written agreement with a practitioner for the practitioner's office use of a compounded preparation;
(iv) comply with all applicable competency and accrediting standards as determined by the board; and
(v) comply with the provisions of this subsection.
(2) Written Agreement. A pharmacy that provides non-sterile compounded preparations to practitioners for office use or to another pharmacy shall enter into a written agreement with the practitioner or pharmacy. The written agreement shall:
(A) address acceptable standards of practice for a compounding pharmacy and a practitioner and receiving pharmacy that enter into the agreement including a statement that the compounded preparations may only be administered to the patient and may not be dispensed to the patient or sold to any other person or entity except as authorized by §563.054 of the Act;
(B) state that the practitioner or receiving pharmacy should include on a separate log or in a patient's chart, medication order, or medication administration record the lot number and beyond-use date of a compounded preparation administered to a patient; and
(C) describe the scope of services to be performed by the pharmacy and practitioner or receiving pharmacy, including a statement of the process for:
(i) a patient to report an adverse reaction or submit a complaint; and
(ii) the pharmacy to recall batches of compounded preparations.
(3) Recordkeeping.
(A) Maintenance of Records.
(i) Records of orders and distribution of non-sterile compounded preparations to a practitioner for office use or to a Class C pharmacy for administration to a patient shall:
(I) be kept by the pharmacy and be available, for at least two years from the date of the record, for inspecting and copying by the board or its representative and to other authorized local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies;
(II) maintained separately from the records of products dispensed pursuant to a prescription or medication order; and
(III) supplied by the pharmacy within 72 hours, if requested by an authorized agent of the Texas State Board of Pharmacy or its representative. If the pharmacy maintains the records in an electronic format, the requested records must be provided in an electronic format. Failure to provide the records set out in this subsection, either on site or within 72 hours for whatever reason, constitutes prima facie evidence of failure to keep and maintain records.
(ii) Records may be maintained in an alternative data retention system, such as a data processing system or direct imaging system provided the data processing system is capable of producing a hard copy of the record upon the request of the board, its representative, or other authorized local, state, or federal law enforcement or regulatory agencies.
(B) Orders. The pharmacy shall maintain a record of all non-sterile compounded preparations ordered by a practitioner for office use or by a Class C pharmacy for administration to a patient. The record shall include the following information:
(i) date of the order;
(ii) name, address, and phone number of the practitioner who ordered the preparation and, if applicable, the name, address, and phone number of the Class C pharmacy ordering the preparation; and
(iii) name, strength, and quantity of the preparation ordered.
(C) Distributions. The pharmacy shall maintain a record of all non-sterile compounded preparations distributed pursuant to an order to a practitioner for office use or by a Class C pharmacy for administration to a patient. The record shall include the following information:
(i) date the preparation was compounded;
(ii) date the preparation was distributed;
(iii) name, strength, and quantity in each container of the preparation;
(iv) pharmacy's lot number;
(v) quantity of containers shipped; and
(vi) name, address, and phone number of the practitioner or Class C pharmacy to whom the preparation is distributed.
(D) Audit Trail.
(i) The pharmacy shall store the order and distribution records of preparations for all non-sterile compounded preparations ordered by and or distributed to a practitioner for office use or by a Class C pharmacy for administration to a patient in such a manner as to be able to provide an audit trail for all orders and distributions of any of the following during a specified time period.
(I) any strength and dosage form of a preparation (by either brand or generic name or both);
(II) any ingredient;
(III) any lot number;
(IV) any practitioner;
(V) any facility; and
(VI) any pharmacy, if applicable.
(ii) The audit trail shall contain the following information:
(I) date of order and date of the distribution;
(II) practitioner's name, address, and name of the Class C pharmacy, if applicable;
(III) name, strength, and quantity of the preparation in each container of the preparation;
(IV) name and quantity of each active ingredient;
(V) quantity of containers distributed; and
(VI) pharmacy's lot number;
(4) Labeling. The pharmacy shall affix a label to the preparation containing the following information:
(A) name, address, and phone number of the compounding pharmacy;
(B) the statement: "For Institutional or Office Use Only--Not for Resale"; or if the preparation is distributed to a veterinarian the statement: "Compounded Preparation";
(C) name and strength of the preparation or list of the active ingredients and strengths;
(D) pharmacy's lot number;
(E) beyond-use date as determined by the pharmacist using appropriate documented criteria;
(F) quantity or amount in the container;
(G) appropriate ancillary instructions, such as storage instructions or cautionary statements, including hazardous drug warning labels where appropriate; and
(H) device-specific instructions, where appropriate.
(g) Recall Procedures.
(1) The pharmacy shall have written procedures for the recall of any compounded non-sterile preparations provided to a patient, to a practitioner for office use, or a pharmacy for administration. Written procedures shall include, but not be limited to, the requirements as specified in paragraph (3) of this subsection.
(2) The pharmacy shall immediately initiate a recall of any non-sterile preparation compounded by the pharmacy upon identification of a potential or confirmed harm to a patient.
(3) In the event of a recall, the pharmacist-in-charge shall ensure that:
(A) each practitioner, facility, and/or pharmacy to which the preparation was distributed is notified, in writing, of the recall;
(B) each patient to whom the preparation was dispensed is notified, in writing, of the recall;
(C) if the preparation is prepared as a batch, the board is notified of the recall, in writing;
(D) if the preparation is distributed for office use, the Texas Department of State Health Services, Drugs and Medical Devices Group, is notified of the recall, in writing;
(E) the preparation is quarantined; and
(F) the pharmacy keeps a written record of the recall including all actions taken to notify all parties and steps taken to ensure corrective measures.
(4) If a pharmacy fails to initiate a recall, the board may require a pharmacy to initiate a recall if there is potential for or confirmed harm to a patient.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 21, 2024.
TRD-202402270
Daniel Carroll, Pharm.D.
Executive Director
Texas State Board of Pharmacy
Effective date: June 10, 2024
Proposal publication date: March 22, 2024
For further information, please call: (512) 305-8084
CHAPTER 573. RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
SUBCHAPTER G. OTHER PROVISIONS
The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (Commission), on behalf of the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME), adopts a new rule at 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 573, Subchapter G, §573.83, regarding the Rules of Professional Conduct, without changes to the proposed text as published in the April 12, 2024, issue of the Texas Register (49 TexReg 2242). This rule will not be republished.
EXPLANATION OF AND JUSTIFICATION FOR THE RULES
The rules under 22 TAC, Chapter 573, implement Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 801, Veterinarians.
The adopted rule adds §573.83 to Subchapter G, Other Provisions. The adopted rule is necessary to implement House Bill (HB) 4069, 88th Legislature, Regular Session (2023), which requires the adoption of rules for a veterinarian to disclose to an owner or caretaker of an ill or injured animal the description and estimated price of a proposed emergency treatment before providing the treatment.
The adopted rule ensures transparency for the public when receiving emergency veterinary care.
SECTION-BY-SECTION SUMMARY
The adopted rule adds §573.83, Price Transparency for Emergency Care. Subsection (a) defines "emergency care" for purposes of the section. Subsection (b) requires a veterinarian to disclose to the owner or caretaker of an animal that the animal requires emergency treatment. Subsection (c) enumerates the requirements of the disclosure required in subsection (b). Subsection (d) requires a veterinarian to update the disclosures if the animal's medical condition changes. Lastly, subsection (e) states that the person presenting the animal for emergency treatment is presumed to be its owner or caretaker.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The proposed rule was published in the April 12, 2024, issue of the Texas Register (49 TexReg 2242). The public comment period closed on May 13, 2024. The Department received comments from 60 interested parties on the proposed rule. The public comments are summarized below.
Comment: The Department received one comment from an individual who, based on a personal experience, expressed support for the proposed rule.
Department Response: The Department appreciates the comment in support of the proposed rule. The Department did not make any changes to the proposed rule in response to this comment.
Comment: The Department received a comment from one individual who expressed that requiring a veterinarian, rather than front-office staff or a qualified veterinary technician, to leave a pet during an emergency to talk to the owner and provide an estimate is unnecessarily burdensome and onerous.
Department Response: The Department disagrees with the comment because House Bill 4069 delegates these responsibilities to the veterinarian. The Department did not make any changes to the proposed rule in response to this comment.
Comment: The Department received a comment from an individual expressing that a veterinarian should be able to stabilize an animal when there is a life-threatening situation and the person presenting the animal for treatment is willing to pay.
Department Response: The Department agrees with the comment. This comment is consistent with House Bill 4069 and the proposed rule. The Department did not make any changes to the proposed rule in response to this comment.
Comment: Taylor County Republican Party Precinct 403 suggested changes to the proposed rule, including its transfer to other sections (§573.20 or §573.22); adding a definition for the term "animal," as provided by Texas Penal Code §42.092 or by Texas Health and Safety Code §821.001; and adding an interpretation for the term "pricing," as used in §573.29.
Department Response: The Department disagrees with the suggested changes. The terms "animal" and "pricing" are used in the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 801, and neither term is defined in this statute. In addition, as both terms are commonly used and generally understood, a particular definition to be used only in this rule chapter is unnecessary. The Department did not make any changes to the proposed rule in response to this comment.
Comment: The Department received a comment from an individual recommending that the proposed rule be changed to allow the veterinarian to obtain an advance authorization from an animal's owner to care for the animal if it is in need of immediate, life-saving care, and to allow the veterinarian to provide the detailed cost estimate after having the opportunity to fully examine the animal. Additionally, the commenter requested adding practical guidelines to follow when a veterinarian is unable to contact the owner when an animal's condition changes.
Department Response: The Department disagrees with the suggested changes, as they are inconsistent with the requirements established by House Bill 4069. The Department did not make any changes to the proposed rule in response to this comment.
Comment: The Department received a comment from an individual stating that the proposed rule would impede a veterinarian's ability to stabilize an animal's condition if it is in need of immediate attention. The commenter stated that the proposed rule should be clarified to remove possible undue delays in care in these situations. The commenter also stated that the rule should be amended to allow oral authorization of emergency care. Lastly, the commenter also requested adding practical guidelines to follow when a veterinarian cannot communicate with the owner of an animal to update its medical condition and the estimated price.
Department Response: The Department disagrees with the suggested changes, as they are inconsistent with the requirements established by House Bill 4069. The Department did not make any changes to the proposed rule in response to this comment.
Comment: The Department received comments from 17 individuals and from the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, which also provided an oral comment at the May 21, 2024, Commission meeting, all suggesting the same changes to the proposed rule. These commenters suggested adding language to establish a difference between "immediate life-saving care" and "longer-term less emergent treatments" to allow veterinarians to provide a cost estimate to stabilize the animal and a standard price disclosure for essential critical therapeutics. The commenters also recommended language to consider when a veterinarian cannot communicate with the owner or caretaker of an animal to update its medical condition and the estimated price. Finally, the commenters requested including the alternative for owners to pre-authorize emergency treatments when a veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists.
Department Response: The Department disagrees with the suggested changes, as they are inconsistent with the requirements established by House Bill 4069. The Department did not make any changes to the proposed rule in response to these comments.
Comment: The Department received comments from 36 individuals suggesting adding language to allow veterinarians to provide a cost estimate to stabilize the animal and a standard price disclosure for more long-term treatments. The commenters also recommended adding language to consider when a veterinarian cannot communicate with the owner or caretaker of an animal to update its medical condition and the estimated price.
Department Response: The Department disagrees with the suggested changes, as they are inconsistent with the requirements established by House Bill 4069. The Department did not make any changes to the proposed rule in response to this comment.
ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMISSION ACTION
The State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (Board) met on January 23, 2024, to discuss the proposed rule. The Board recommended the proposed rule to be published in the Texas Register. At its meeting on May 21, 2024, the Commission adopted the proposed rule as recommended by the Board.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY
The adopted rule is adopted under the authority of Texas Occupations Code, Chapters 51 and 801, which authorize the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation, the Department's governing body, to adopt rules as necessary to implement these chapters and any other law establishing a program regulated by the Department.
The statutory provisions affected by the adopted rules are those set forth in Texas Occupations Code, Chapters 51 and 801. No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the adopted rules.
The legislation that enacted the statutory authority under which the adopted rules are proposed to be adopted is House Bill 4069, 88th Legislature, Regular Session (2023).
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 24, 2024.
TRD-202402351
Doug Jennings
General Counsel
Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
Effective date: June 13, 2024
Proposal publication date: April 12, 2024
For further information, please call: (512) 475-4879