{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-3434.02.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-3434.02.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-3434.02.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-3434.02.html"}],"law_id":57997,"edition_id":1,"section_id":57997,"structure_id":15232,"section_number":"54.1-3434.02","catch_line":"Automated drug dispensing systems and remote dispensing systems","history":"1999, c. 750; 2004, c. 140; 2009, c. 100; 2024, cc. 63, 513.","full_text":"A\n\nHospitals or nursing homes licensed pursuant to Title 32.1, state facilities as defined in \u00a7 37.2-100 established pursuant to Title 37.2, facilities as defined in \u00a7 37.2-100 that are licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and provide site-based crisis stabilization services, or other facilities authorized by the Board may use automated drug dispensing systems and remote dispensing systems, as defined in \u00a7 54.1-3401, upon meeting the following conditions:1\n\nDrugs are placed in the automated drug dispensing system or remote dispensing system in such hospital, nursing home, or facility and are under the control of a pharmacy providing services to the hospital, nursing home, or facility;2\n\nThe pharmacist-in-charge of the pharmacy providing services to the hospital, nursing home, or facility has established procedures for ensuring the accurate stocking and proper storage of drugs in the automated drug dispensing system or remote dispensing system and for ensuring accountability for and security of all drugs utilized in such system until the time such drugs are removed from such system for administration to the patients;3\n\nRemoval of drugs from any automated drug dispensing system or remote dispensing system for administration to patients can only be made pursuant to a valid prescription or lawful order of a prescriber;4\n\nAdequate security for automated drug dispensing systems or remote dispensing systems is provided, as evidenced by written policies and procedures, for (i) preventing unauthorized access, (ii) complying with federal and state regulations on prescribing and dispensing controlled substances, (iii) maintaining patient confidentiality, and (iv) ensuring compliance with the requirements of this section;5\n\nAccountability for drugs dispensed from automated drug dispensing systems or remote dispensing systems is vested in the pharmacist-in-charge of a pharmacy located within the hospital, nursing home, or facility or the pharmacist-in-charge of the outside pharmacy providing pharmacy services to the hospital, nursing home, or facility;6\n\nFilling and stocking of all drugs in automated drug dispensing systems or remote dispensing systems shall be performed under the direction of the pharmacist-in-charge. The task of filling and stocking of drugs into such system shall be performed by a pharmacist or a registered pharmacy technician, who shall be an employee of the provider pharmacy and shall be properly trained in accordance with established standards set forth in a policy and procedure manual maintained by the provider pharmacy. The pharmacist stocking and filling such system or the pharmacist-in-charge, if such system is stocked and filled by a registered pharmacy technician, shall be responsible for the proper and accurate stocking and filling of the automated drug dispensing system or remote dispensing system; and7\n\nExcept when the automated drug dispensing system is used exclusively for administration of drugs for emergencies, a pharmacy located outside of the hospital, nursing home, or facility it services according to this subsection shall first obtain a controlled substances registration issued in the name of the pharmacy at the address of the hospital, nursing home, or facility and a registration from the Drug Enforcement Administration, if required, prior to stocking controlled substances in Schedules II through VI.B\n\nExcept as authorized by the Board, drugs placed into and removed from automated drug dispensing systems or remote dispensing systems for administration to patients shall be in the manufacturer’s or distributor’s sealed original packaging or in unit-dose containers packaged by the pharmacy. Drugs in multi-dose packaging or in a liquid, injectable, or inhaled formulation may be placed in such a device if approved by the pharmacist-in-charge in consultation with pharmacy, medical, and nursing staff of the hospital, nursing home, or facility.C\n\nThe pharmacist-in-charge in a pharmacy located within a hospital, nursing home, or facility or the pharmacist-in-charge of any outside pharmacy providing pharmacy services to a hospital, nursing home, or facility shall be responsible for establishing procedures for (i) periodically inspecting and auditing automated drug dispensing systems and remote dispensing systems to ensure the proper storage, security, and accountability for all drugs placed in and removed from automated drug dispensing systems and remote dispensing systems and (ii) reviewing the operation and maintenance of automated drug dispensing systems and remote dispensing systems. For hospitals with a pharmacy located within the hospital, monitoring shall be reviewed by a pharmacist while on the premises of the hospital and in accordance with the pharmacist-in-charge’s procedures and the Board of Pharmacy’s regulations.D\n\nThe Board of Pharmacy shall promulgate regulations establishing minimum requirements for random periodic inspections and monthly audits of automated drug dispensing systems and remote dispensing systems to ensure the proper storage, security, and accountability of all drugs placed in and removed from such systems and for reviewing the operation and maintenance of such systems.E\n\nNotwithstanding this section, the Board shall promulgate regulations for the use of a remote dispensing system to store drugs previously dispensed and labeled by the provider pharmacy in compliance with current laws and regulations. Such regulations shall identify the location where such system may be placed and requirements to ensure the security of the drug, confidentiality of protected health information, and appropriate recordkeeping.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":212444,"text":"Hospitals or nursing homes licensed pursuant to Title 32.1, state facilities as defined in \u00a7 37.2-100 established pursuant to Title 37.2, facilities as defined in \u00a7 37.2-100 that are licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and provide site-based crisis stabilization services, or other facilities authorized by the Board may use automated drug dispensing systems and remote dispensing systems, as defined in \u00a7 54.1-3401, upon meeting the following conditions:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":212445,"text":"Drugs are placed in the automated drug dispensing system or remote dispensing system in such hospital, nursing home, or facility and are under the control of a pharmacy providing services to the hospital, nursing home, or facility;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":212446,"text":"The pharmacist-in-charge of the pharmacy providing services to the hospital, nursing home, or facility has established procedures for ensuring the accurate stocking and proper storage of drugs in the automated drug dispensing system or remote dispensing system and for ensuring accountability for and security of all drugs utilized in such system until the time such drugs are removed from such system for administration to the patients;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":212447,"text":"Removal of drugs from any automated drug dispensing system or remote dispensing system for administration to patients can only be made pursuant to a valid prescription or lawful order of a prescriber;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":212448,"text":"Adequate security for automated drug dispensing systems or remote dispensing systems is provided, as evidenced by written policies and procedures, for (i) preventing unauthorized access, (ii) complying with federal and state regulations on prescribing and dispensing controlled substances, (iii) maintaining patient confidentiality, and (iv) ensuring compliance with the requirements of this section;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":212449,"text":"Accountability for drugs dispensed from automated drug dispensing systems or remote dispensing systems is vested in the pharmacist-in-charge of a pharmacy located within the hospital, nursing home, or facility or the pharmacist-in-charge of the outside pharmacy providing pharmacy services to the hospital, nursing home, or facility;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"A6"},"6":{"id":212450,"text":"Filling and stocking of all drugs in automated drug dispensing systems or remote dispensing systems shall be performed under the direction of the pharmacist-in-charge. The task of filling and stocking of drugs into such system shall be performed by a pharmacist or a registered pharmacy technician, who shall be an employee of the provider pharmacy and shall be properly trained in accordance with established standards set forth in a policy and procedure manual maintained by the provider pharmacy. The pharmacist stocking and filling such system or the pharmacist-in-charge, if such system is stocked and filled by a registered pharmacy technician, shall be responsible for the proper and accurate stocking and filling of the automated drug dispensing system or remote dispensing system; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"A6","prefix_anchor":"A6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"A7"},"7":{"id":212451,"text":"Except when the automated drug dispensing system is used exclusively for administration of drugs for emergencies, a pharmacy located outside of the hospital, nursing home, or facility it services according to this subsection shall first obtain a controlled substances registration issued in the name of the pharmacy at the address of the hospital, nursing home, or facility and a registration from the Drug Enforcement Administration, if required, prior to stocking controlled substances in Schedules II through VI.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"A7","prefix_anchor":"A7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A6","next_prefix":"B"},"8":{"id":212452,"text":"Except as authorized by the Board, drugs placed into and removed from automated drug dispensing systems or remote dispensing systems for administration to patients shall be in the manufacturer’s or distributor’s sealed original packaging or in unit-dose containers packaged by the pharmacy. Drugs in multi-dose packaging or in a liquid, injectable, or inhaled formulation may be placed in such a device if approved by the pharmacist-in-charge in consultation with pharmacy, medical, and nursing staff of the hospital, nursing home, or facility.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A7","next_prefix":"C"},"9":{"id":212453,"text":"The pharmacist-in-charge in a pharmacy located within a hospital, nursing home, or facility or the pharmacist-in-charge of any outside pharmacy providing pharmacy services to a hospital, nursing home, or facility shall be responsible for establishing procedures for (i) periodically inspecting and auditing automated drug dispensing systems and remote dispensing systems to ensure the proper storage, security, and accountability for all drugs placed in and removed from automated drug dispensing systems and remote dispensing systems and (ii) reviewing the operation and maintenance of automated drug dispensing systems and remote dispensing systems. For hospitals with a pharmacy located within the hospital, monitoring shall be reviewed by a pharmacist while on the premises of the hospital and in accordance with the pharmacist-in-charge’s procedures and the Board of Pharmacy’s regulations.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"10":{"id":212454,"text":"The Board of Pharmacy shall promulgate regulations establishing minimum requirements for random periodic inspections and monthly audits of automated drug dispensing systems and remote dispensing systems to ensure the proper storage, security, and accountability of all drugs placed in and removed from such systems and for reviewing the operation and maintenance of such systems.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"11":{"id":212455,"text":"Notwithstanding this section, the Board shall promulgate regulations for the use of a remote dispensing system to store drugs previously dispensed and labeled by the provider pharmacy in compliance with current laws and regulations. Such regulations shall identify the location where such system may be placed and requirements to ensure the security of the drug, confidentiality of protected health information, and appropriate recordkeeping.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15232,"edition_id":1,"name":"Permitting of Pharmacies","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13240,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:53:13","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:53:13","permalink":{"id":243439,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15232,"identifier":"2","token":"54.1\/III\/34\/2","url":"\/54.1\/III\/34\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13240,"edition_id":1,"name":"Drug Control Act","identifier":"34","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12758,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:30","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:30","permalink":{"id":243223,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13240,"identifier":"34","token":"54.1\/III\/34","url":"\/54.1\/III\/34\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12758,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12754,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":241105,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12758,"identifier":"III","token":"54.1\/III","url":"\/54.1\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12754,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations","identifier":"54.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":239313,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12754,"identifier":"54.1","token":"54.1","url":"\/54.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":76730,"structure_id":15232,"section_number":"54.1-3432","catch_line":"Supervision by pharmacist","url":"\/54.1-3432\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34\/2\/54.1-3432","metadata":false},{"id":67247,"structure_id":15232,"section_number":"54.1-3433","catch_line":"Certain advertising and signs unlawful","url":"\/54.1-3433\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34\/2\/54.1-3433","metadata":false},{"id":72686,"structure_id":15232,"section_number":"54.1-3434","catch_line":"Permit to conduct pharmacy","url":"\/54.1-3434\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34\/2\/54.1-3434","metadata":false},{"id":73909,"structure_id":15232,"section_number":"54.1-3434.01","catch_line":"Notice of pharmacy closing; change of ownership; penalty","url":"\/54.1-3434.01\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34\/2\/54.1-3434.01","metadata":false},{"id":57997,"structure_id":15232,"section_number":"54.1-3434.02","catch_line":"Automated drug dispensing systems and remote dispensing systems","url":"\/54.1-3434.02\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34\/2\/54.1-3434.02","metadata":false},{"id":65752,"structure_id":15232,"section_number":"54.1-3434.03","catch_line":"Continuous quality improvement program","url":"\/54.1-3434.03\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34\/2\/54.1-3434.03","metadata":false},{"id":59011,"structure_id":15232,"section_number":"54.1-3434.04","catch_line":"Automatic review of certain case decisions","url":"\/54.1-3434.04\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34\/2\/54.1-3434.04","metadata":false},{"id":80945,"structure_id":15232,"section_number":"54.1-3434.05","catch_line":"Permit to act as an outsourcing facility","url":"\/54.1-3434.05\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34\/2\/54.1-3434.05","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":73909,"structure_id":15232,"section_number":"54.1-3434.01","catch_line":"Notice of pharmacy closing; change of ownership; penalty","url":"\/54.1-3434.01\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34\/2\/54.1-3434.01","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":65752,"structure_id":15232,"section_number":"54.1-3434.03","catch_line":"Continuous quality improvement program","url":"\/54.1-3434.03\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34\/2\/54.1-3434.03","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-3434.02\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1999. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 750<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2004, chapter 140<\/a>; in 2009, chapter 100<\/a>; in 2024, chapters 63<\/a> and 513<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":76036,"section_number":"37.2-100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-100\/"},{"id":59669,"section_number":"54.1-3401","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3401\/"}],"permalink":{"id":243457,"object_type":"law","relational_id":57997,"identifier":"54.1-3434.02","token":"54.1\/III\/34\/2\/54.1-3434.02","url":"\/54.1-3434.02\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-3434.02\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34\/2\/54.1-3434.02","dublin_core":{"Title":"Automated drug dispensing systems and remote dispensing systems","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-3434.02","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Hospitals or nursing homes licensed pursuant to Title 32.1, state facilities as defined in \u00a7 37.2-100<\/a> established pursuant to Title 37.2, facilities as defined in \u00a7 37.2-100<\/a> that are licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and provide site-based crisis stabilization services, or other facilities authorized by the Board<\/span> may use automated drug dispensing systems<\/span> and remote dispensing systems<\/span>, as defined in \u00a7 54.1-3401<\/a>, upon meeting the following conditions: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Drugs<\/span> are placed in the automated drug dispensing system<\/span> or remote dispensing system<\/span> in such hospital, nursing home, or facility and are under the control of a pharmacy providing services to the hospital, nursing home, or facility; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The pharmacist-in-charge<\/span> of the pharmacy providing services to the hospital, nursing home, or facility has established procedures for ensuring the accurate stocking and proper storage of drugs<\/span> in the automated drug dispensing system<\/span> or remote dispensing system<\/span> and for ensuring accountability for and security of all drugs<\/span> utilized in such system until the time such drugs<\/span> are removed from such system for administration to the patients; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Removal of drugs<\/span> from any automated drug dispensing system<\/span> or remote dispensing system<\/span> for administration to patients can only be made pursuant to a valid prescription<\/span> or lawful order<\/span> of a prescriber<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Adequate security for automated drug dispensing systems<\/span> or remote dispensing systems<\/span> is provided, as evidenced by written policies and procedures, for (i) preventing unauthorized access, (ii) complying with federal and state regulations on prescribing and dispensing controlled substances<\/span>, (iii) maintaining patient confidentiality, and (iv) ensuring compliance with the requirements of this section; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Accountability for drugs<\/span> dispensed from automated drug dispensing systems<\/span> or remote dispensing systems<\/span> is vested in the pharmacist-in-charge<\/span> of a pharmacy located within the hospital, nursing home, or facility or the pharmacist-in-charge<\/span> of the outside pharmacy providing pharmacy services to the hospital, nursing home, or facility; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Filling and stocking of all drugs<\/span> in automated drug dispensing systems<\/span> or remote dispensing systems<\/span> shall be performed under the direction of the pharmacist-in-charge<\/span>. The task of filling and stocking of drugs<\/span> into such system shall be performed by a pharmacist or a registered pharmacy technician, who shall be an employee of the provider pharmacy and shall be properly trained in accordance with established standards set forth in a policy and procedure manual maintained by the provider pharmacy. The pharmacist stocking and filling such system or the pharmacist-in-charge<\/span>, if such system is stocked and filled by a registered pharmacy technician, shall be responsible for the proper and accurate stocking and filling of the automated drug dispensing system<\/span> or remote dispensing system<\/span>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Except when the automated drug dispensing system<\/span> is used exclusively for administration of drugs<\/span> for emergencies, a pharmacy located outside of the hospital, nursing home, or facility it services according to this subsection shall first obtain a controlled substances<\/span> registration issued in the name of the pharmacy at the address of the hospital, nursing home, or facility and a registration from the Drug Enforcement Administration, if required, prior to stocking controlled substances<\/span> in Schedules<\/span> II through VI. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Except as authorized by the Board<\/span>, drugs<\/span> placed into and removed from automated drug dispensing systems<\/span> or remote dispensing systems<\/span> for administration to patients shall be in the manufacturer<\/span>’s or distributor<\/span>’s sealed<\/span> original packaging or in unit-dose containers packaged by the pharmacy. Drugs<\/span> in multi-dose packaging or in a liquid, injectable, or inhaled formulation may be placed in such a device<\/span> if approved by the pharmacist-in-charge<\/span> in consultation with pharmacy, medical, and nursing staff of the hospital, nursing home, or facility. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The pharmacist-in-charge<\/span> in a pharmacy located within a hospital, nursing home, or facility or the pharmacist-in-charge<\/span> of any outside pharmacy providing pharmacy services to a hospital, nursing home, or facility shall be responsible for establishing procedures for (i) periodically inspecting and auditing automated drug dispensing systems<\/span> and remote dispensing systems<\/span> to ensure the proper storage, security, and accountability for all drugs<\/span> placed in and removed from automated drug dispensing systems<\/span> and remote dispensing systems<\/span> and (ii) reviewing the operation and maintenance of automated drug dispensing systems<\/span> and remote dispensing systems<\/span>. For hospitals with a pharmacy located within the hospital, monitoring shall be reviewed by a pharmacist while on the premises of the hospital and in accordance with the pharmacist-in-charge<\/span>’s procedures and the Board<\/span> of Pharmacy’s regulations. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The Board<\/span> of Pharmacy shall promulgate regulations establishing minimum requirements for random periodic inspections and monthly audits of automated drug dispensing systems<\/span> and remote dispensing systems<\/span> to ensure the proper storage, security, and accountability of all drugs<\/span> placed in and removed from such systems and for reviewing the operation and maintenance of such systems. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Notwithstanding this section, the Board<\/span> shall promulgate regulations for the use of a remote dispensing system<\/span> to store drugs<\/span> previously dispensed and labeled by the provider pharmacy in compliance with current laws<\/span> and regulations. Such regulations shall identify the location where such system may be placed and requirements to ensure the security of the drug, confidentiality of protected health information, and appropriate recordkeeping. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nAUTOMATED DRUG DISPENSING SYSTEMS AND REMOTE DISPENSING SYSTEMS (\u00a7\n54.1-3434.02)\n\nA. Hospitals or nursing homes licensed pursuant to Title 32.1, state facilities\nas defined in \u00a7 37.2-100 established pursuant to Title 37.2, facilities as\ndefined in \u00a7 37.2-100 that are licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health\nand Developmental Services and provide site-based crisis stabilization services,\nor other facilities authorized by the Board may use automated drug dispensing\nsystems and remote dispensing systems, as defined in \u00a7 54.1-3401, upon meeting\nthe following conditions:\n\n 1. Drugs are placed in the automated drug dispensing system or remote\n dispensing system in such hospital, nursing home, or facility and are under\n the control of a pharmacy providing services to the hospital, nursing home, or\n facility;\n\n 2. The pharmacist-in-charge of the pharmacy providing services to the\n hospital, nursing home, or facility has established procedures for ensuring\n the accurate stocking and proper storage of drugs in the automated drug\n dispensing system or remote dispensing system and for ensuring accountability\n for and security of all drugs utilized in such system until the time such\n drugs are removed from such system for administration to the patients;\n\n 3. Removal of drugs from any automated drug dispensing system or remote\n dispensing system for administration to patients can only be made pursuant to\n a valid prescription or lawful order of a prescriber;\n\n 4. Adequate security for automated drug dispensing systems or remote\n dispensing systems is provided, as evidenced by written policies and\n procedures, for (i) preventing unauthorized access, (ii) complying with\n federal and state regulations on prescribing and dispensing controlled\n substances, (iii) maintaining patient confidentiality, and (iv) ensuring\n compliance with the requirements of this section;\n\n 5. Accountability for drugs dispensed from automated drug dispensing systems\n or remote dispensing systems is vested in the pharmacist-in-charge of a\n pharmacy located within the hospital, nursing home, or facility or the\n pharmacist-in-charge of the outside pharmacy providing pharmacy services to\n the hospital, nursing home, or facility;\n\n 6. Filling and stocking of all drugs in automated drug dispensing systems or\n remote dispensing systems shall be performed under the direction of the\n pharmacist-in-charge. The task of filling and stocking of drugs into such\n system shall be performed by a pharmacist or a registered pharmacy technician,\n who shall be an employee of the provider pharmacy and shall be properly\n trained in accordance with established standards set forth in a policy and\n procedure manual maintained by the provider pharmacy. The pharmacist stocking\n and filling such system or the pharmacist-in-charge, if such system is stocked\n and filled by a registered pharmacy technician, shall be responsible for the\n proper and accurate stocking and filling of the automated drug dispensing\n system or remote dispensing system; and\n\n 7. Except when the automated drug dispensing system is used exclusively for\n administration of drugs for emergencies, a pharmacy located outside of the\n hospital, nursing home, or facility it services according to this subsection\n shall first obtain a controlled substances registration issued in the name of\n the pharmacy at the address of the hospital, nursing home, or facility and a\n registration from the Drug Enforcement Administration, if required, prior to\n stocking controlled substances in Schedules II through VI.\n\nB. Except as authorized by the Board, drugs placed into and removed from\nautomated drug dispensing systems or remote dispensing systems for\nadministration to patients shall be in the manufacturer’s or\ndistributor’s sealed original packaging or in unit-dose containers\npackaged by the pharmacy. Drugs in multi-dose packaging or in a liquid,\ninjectable, or inhaled formulation may be placed in such a device if approved by\nthe pharmacist-in-charge in consultation with pharmacy, medical, and nursing\nstaff of the hospital, nursing home, or facility.\n\nC. The pharmacist-in-charge in a pharmacy located within a hospital, nursing\nhome, or facility or the pharmacist-in-charge of any outside pharmacy providing\npharmacy services to a hospital, nursing home, or facility shall be responsible\nfor establishing procedures for (i) periodically inspecting and auditing\nautomated drug dispensing systems and remote dispensing systems to ensure the\nproper storage, security, and accountability for all drugs placed in and removed\nfrom automated drug dispensing systems and remote dispensing systems and (ii)\nreviewing the operation and maintenance of automated drug dispensing systems and\nremote dispensing systems. For hospitals with a pharmacy located within the\nhospital, monitoring shall be reviewed by a pharmacist while on the premises of\nthe hospital and in accordance with the pharmacist-in-charge’s procedures\nand the Board of Pharmacy’s regulations.\n\nD. The Board of Pharmacy shall promulgate regulations establishing minimum\nrequirements for random periodic inspections and monthly audits of automated\ndrug dispensing systems and remote dispensing systems to ensure the proper\nstorage, security, and accountability of all drugs placed in and removed from\nsuch systems and for reviewing the operation and maintenance of such systems.\n\nE. Notwithstanding this section, the Board shall promulgate regulations for the\nuse of a remote dispensing system to store drugs previously dispensed and\nlabeled by the provider pharmacy in compliance with current laws and\nregulations. Such regulations shall identify the location where such system may\nbe placed and requirements to ensure the security of the drug, confidentiality\nof protected health information, and appropriate recordkeeping.\n\nHISTORY: 1999, c. 750; 2004, c. 140; 2009, c. 100; 2024, cc. 63, 513.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}