Section R4-23-609. Pharmacy Area of Community Pharmacy

A.      Minimum area of community pharmacy. The minimum area of a community pharmacy, the actual area primarily devoted to stocking drugs restricted to pharmacists, and to the compound- ing and dispensing of prescription medication, exclusive of office area or other support function area, shall not be less than 300 square feet. A maximum of three pharmacy personnel may practice or work simultaneously in the minimum area. The pharmacy permittee shall provide an additional 60 square feet of floor area for each additional pharmacist, graduate intern, pharmacy intern, pharmacy technician, pharmacy tech- nician trainee, or support personnel who may practice or work simultaneously. All of the allotted square footage area, includ- ing adequate shelving, shall lend itself to efficient pharmaceu- tical practice and permit free movement and visual surveillance of personnel by the pharmacist.

B.       Compounding and dispensing counter. On or after January 6, 2004, a pharmacy permit applicant or remodel or relocation applicant shall provide a compounding and dispensing counter that provides a minimum of three square feet of pharmacy counter working area of not less than 16 inches in depth and 24 inches in length for the practice of one pharmacist, graduate intern, pharmacy intern, pharmacy technician, or pharmacy technician trainee. For each additional pharmacist, graduate intern, pharmacy intern, pharmacy technician, or pharmacy technician trainee practicing simultaneously, there shall be an additional three square feet of pharmacy counter working area of not less than 16 inches in depth and 24 inches in length. The Board shall determine a pharmacy’s total required compound- ing and dispensing counter area by multiplying the maximum number of personnel allowed in the pharmacy area using the requirements specified in subsection (A) by three square feet per person. A pharmacy permittee or pharmacist-in-charge may operate the pharmacy with a total pharmacy counter working area specified in subsection (A) that is equal to the actual maximum number of pharmacists, graduate interns, pharmacy interns, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy tech- nician trainees, working simultaneously in the pharmacy area times three square feet per person.

C.      Working area for compounding and dispensing counter. The aisle floor area used by the pharmacist, graduate intern, phar- macy intern, pharmacy technician, or pharmacy technician trainee at the compounding and dispensing counter shall extend the full length of the counter and be clear and continu- ous for a minimum of 36 inches from any counter, fixture, or structure.

D.      Area for patient counseling. On or after April 1, 1995, a phar- macy permit applicant or remodel or relocation applicant shall provide a separate and distinct patient counseling area that provides patient privacy. This subsection does not apply to a pharmacy exempt from the requirements of R4-23-402(B).

E.       Narcotic cabinet or safe. To prevent diversion, narcotics and other controlled substances may be:

1.        Kept in a separate locked cabinet or safe, or

2.        Dispersed throughout the pharmacy’s prescription-only drug stock.

F.       Building security standard of community pharmacy area. The pharmacy area shall be enclosed by a permanent barrier or par- tition from floor or counter to structural ceiling or roof, with entry doors that can be securely locked. The barrier shall be designed so that only a pharmacist can access the area where prescription-only drugs, narcotics, and other controlled sub- stances are stored, compounded and dispensed. The permanent barrier may be constructed of other than a solid material. If constructed of a material other than a solid, the openings or interstices of the material shall not be large enough to permit

removal of items in the pharmacy area through the barrier. Any material used in the construction of the permanent barrier must be of sufficient strength and thickness that it cannot be readily or easily removed, penetrated, or bent. The pharmacy permittee shall submit plans and specifications of the perma- nent barrier to the Board for approval.

G.      Drug storage and security.

1.        The pharmacy permittee shall ensure that drugs and devices are stored in a dry, well-lit, ventilated, and clean and orderly area. The pharmacy permittee shall maintain the drug storage area at temperatures that ensure the integrity of the drugs before dispensing as stated in the official compendium defined in A.R.S. § 32-1901(55) or the manufacturer’s or distributor’s labeling.

2.        If the pharmacy permittee needs additional storage area for drugs that are restricted to sale by a pharmacist, the pharmacy permittee shall ensure that the area is contained by a permanent barrier from floor or counter to structural ceiling or roof. The pharmacy permittee shall lock all doors and gates to the drug storage area. Only a pharma- cist with a key is permitted to enter the storage area, except in an extreme emergency.

H.      A pharmacy permittee or pharmacist-in-charge shall ensure that the pharmacy working counter area is protected from unauthorized access while the pharmacy is open for business by a barrier not less than 66 inches in height or another method approved by the Board or its designee.

Historical Note

Former Rules 6.6210, 6.6220, 6.6230, 6.6240, 6.6250,

6.6310, 6.6320, and 6.6330; Amended effective August

10, 1978 (Supp. 78-4). Amended effective August 9,

1983 (Supp. 83-4). Amended effective November 1, 1993

(Supp. 93-4). Amended effective April 1, 1995; filed with

the Secretary of State January 31, 1995 (Supp. 95-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 9 A.A.R. 5030, effective January 3, 2004 (Supp. 03-4). Amended by final

rulemaking at 19 A.A.R. 97, effective March 10, 2013

(Supp. 13-1).