Section 657.8.15. Delivery of prescription drugs and devices.

Prescription drug orders, prescription devices, and completed prescription drug containers may be delivered, in compliance with all laws, rules, and regulations relating to the practice of pharmacy, to patients at any place of business licensed as a pharmacy.

         8.15(1) Alternative methods. A licensed pharmacy may, by means of its employee or by use of a common carrier, pick up or deliver prescriptions to the patient or the patient’s caregiver as follows:

            a.               At the office or home of the prescriber.

            b.               At the residence of the patient or caregiver.

            c.               At the hospital or medical care facility in which a patient is confined.

            d.               At an outpatient medical care facility where the patient receives treatment only pursuant to the following requirements:

             (1)             The pharmacy shall obtain and maintain the written authorization of the patient or patient’s caregiver for receipt or delivery at the outpatient medical care facility;

             (2)             The prescription shall be delivered directly to or received directly from the patient, the caregiver, or an authorized agent identified in the written authorization;

             (3)             A prescription authorized by a prescriber not treating the patient at the outpatient medical care facility may be transmitted to the pharmacy by the authorized agent via facsimile provided that the means of transmission does not obscure or render the prescription information illegible due to security features of the paper utilized by the prescriber to prepare the prescription and provided that the original written prescription is delivered to the pharmacy prior to delivery of the filled prescription to the patient; and

             (4)             The outpatient medical care facility shall store the patient’s filled prescriptions in a secure area pending delivery to the patient.

            e.               At the patient’s or caregiver’s place of employment only pursuant to the following requirements:

             (1)             The pharmacy shall obtain and maintain the written authorization of the patient or patient’s caregiver for receipt or delivery at the place of employment;

             (2)             The prescription shall be delivered directly to or received directly from the patient, the caregiver, the prescriber, or an authorized agent identified in the written authorization; and

             (3)             The pharmacy shall ensure the security of confidential information as defined in subrule 8.16(1).

         8.15(2) Policies and procedures required. Pursuant to rule 657—8.3(155A), every pharmacy shipping or otherwise delivering prescription drugs or devices to Iowa patients shall have policies and procedures to ensure accountability, safe delivery, and compliance with temperature requirements as defined by subrule 8.7(4).

[ARC 7636B, IAB 3/11/09, effective 4/15/09; ARC 1961C, IAB 4/15/15, effective 5/20/15]