licensing and regulation of pharmacy technicians in michigan
TRANSCRIPT
Licensing and Regulation for Pharmacy Technicians in
MichiganJohn R. Wright
Attorney at LawRogers & Associates, P.C.Attorneys and Counselors
Today’s Presentation
New Law & New Requirements Allegation Investigation Violations Administrative Complaint Compliance Conference Administrative Hearing Disciplinary Subcommittee Sanctions Appeal Reinstatement & Reclassification
Took effect December 22, 2014 Amended Part 177 of the Public Health Code
(Pharmacy Practice and Drug Control) Application, $25 Application Fee, $30 License
Fee High School Diploma or GED Criminal Background Check with
Fingerprinting Examination by Pharmacy Technician
Certification Board (PTCB) or National Health Career Association
New Law & New Requirements
After June 30, 2015, all pharmacy technicians in Michigan must be licensed.
Renewal is every two years by showing: 20 Hours of Continuing Education Passage of a Proficiency Exam
Certification is not required for licensure, but might be required by an employer.
Three types of licenses: Full, Limited and Temporary
New Law & New Requirements
Full Unlimited license
Limited License ($10/year) Employer must verify employment of at least 1,000 hours
over the past two years Only valid while remaining employed by that employer at
that employer’s locations Temporary License ($15)
Only lasts for 210 days Designed to allow an applicant to work during
examination process
A pharmacy technician licensed in another state who currently has a disciplinary sanction on that license, then that person is not eligible for licensure in Michigan. MCL 333.16174(2).
Types of Licenses
Assisting in the dispensing process. Handling transfer of prescriptions, except controlled
substances prescriptions. Compounding drugs. Preparing or mixing intravenous drugs for injection into a
human patient. Contacting prescribers concerning prescription drug order
clarification, which does not include drug regimen review or clinical or therapeutic interpretation.
Receiving verbal orders for prescription drugs, except orders for controlled substances.
MCL 333.17739(a)-(f).
Statutory Definition of Pharmacy Technician Practice
An individual who is licensed or registered under this article shall meet all of the following requirements: Be 18 or more years of age. Be of good moral character. Have a specific education or experience in the health
profession or in a health profession subfield or health profession specialty field of the health profession, or training equivalent, or both, as prescribed by this article or rules of a board necessary to promote safe and competent practice and informed consumer choice.
Have a working knowledge of the English language as determined in accordance with minimum standards established for that purpose by the department.
Pay the appropriate fees as prescribed in this article.
MCL 333.16174(a)-(e).
General Requirements for Licensees
The Regulators
Executive Branch
LARA
BHCS
HPD
Board of Pharmacy
Executive Branch: Governor
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)
Bureau of Health Care Services
Health Professions Division
Board of Pharmacy
Michigan Public Health Code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.1101 et seq. Article 7: Controlled Substances Article 15: Occupations
Part 161: General Provisions Part 177: Pharmacy Practice and Drug Control
Michigan Administrative Code General Rules: R 338.471 - 338.500 Radiopharmaceuticals: R 338.3001 - 338.3007 Public Participation at Open Board Meetings: R 338.3031 - 338.3031 Continuing Education: R 338.3041 - 338.3045 Centralized Prescription Processing Pharmacies: R 338.3051 - 338.3056 Controlled Substances: R 338.3101 - 338.3199q Animal Euthanasia and Sedation Rules: R 338.3501 - 338.3523 Program for Utilization of Unused Prescription Drugs: R 338.3601 -
338.3643
The Law and The Rules
Anyone can make an allegation as long as it is in writing. MCL 333.16231(1).
The identity of the person filing the allegation is confidential until the Department initiates disciplinary proceedings. MCL 333.16231(6).
The Department keeps record of unsubstantiated allegations for five years. If no other allegations are received in that five year period, it removes the unsubstantiated allegation from the file. MCL 333.16211(5).
Allegation
Allegations over four years old do not have to be investigated under 2(a) or 2(b). MCL 333.16231(3).
Three board members must authorize the investigation. MCL 333.16231(2)(a).
Authorization not necessary if a licensee’s record contains 1 substantiated allegation or 2 or more written investigated allegations from 2 or more individuals or entities received in the previous four years. MCL 333.16231(2)(b).
Allegation
MCL 333.16221 The Department shall investigate all allegations
that constitute a violation of the Code or rules. The Department may investigate activities
related to the practice of pharmacy. The Department may hold hearings, administer
oaths and take testimony. Lists grounds for disciplinary subcommittee
action.
Investigation
A violation of general duty, consisting of negligence, or failure to exercise due care;
Including negligent delegation to or supervision of employees or other individuals;
Whether or not injury results, or; Any conduct, practice, or condition that
impairs, or may impair, the ability to safely and skillfully practice the health profession. MCL 333.16221(a).
Negligence
MCL 16221(b) (i) Incompetence.
“Incompetence” means a departure from, or failure to conform to, minimal standards of acceptable and prevailing practice for a health profession, whether or not actual injury to an individual occurs. MCL 333.16106(1).
(ii) Substance Use Disorder "Substance use disorder" means chronic disorder in which
repeated use of alcohol, drugs, or both, results in significant and adverse consequences. Substance use disorder includes substance abuse. MCL 330.1100d(11).
(iii) Mental/physical inability to safely/competently practice (iv) Declaration of mental incompetence by a court (v) Some misdemeanors, incl. controlled substances crimes (vi) Lack of good moral character
Personal Disqualifications
MCL 16221(b) (vii) Conviction of CSC IV or sexual assault (viii) Conviction of falsifying medical records (ix) Conviction of a misdemeanor or felony involving
fraud in obtaining or attempting to obtain fees related to the practice of a health profession.
(x) “Sister State Action” (xi) Some misdemeanors related to safe practice (xii) Conviction of practicing pharmacy under the
influence (xiii) Conviction CSC 1, II, III or a subsequent offense
Personal Disqualifications (cont.)
MCL 16221(c) (i) Fraud or deceit in obtaining or renewing a license or
registration. (ii) Permitting a license or registration to be used by an
unauthorized person. (iii) Practice outside the scope of a license. (iv) Obtaining, possessing, or attempting to obtain or
possess a controlled substance or a drug without lawful authority; or selling, prescribing, giving away, or administering drugs for other than lawful diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
Prohibited Acts
MCL 16221(d) (i) False or misleading advertising. (ii) Dividing fees for referral of patients or
accepting kickbacks on medical or surgical services, appliances, or medications purchased by or in behalf of patients.
(iii) Fraud or deceit in obtaining or attempting to obtain third party reimbursement.
Unethical Business Practices
MCL 16221(e) (i) Misrepresentation to a consumer or
patient or in obtaining or attempting to obtain third party reimbursement in the course of professional practice.
(ii) Betrayal of a professional confidence. (iii) Promotion for personal gain of an
unnecessary drug, device, treatment, procedure, or service.
(iv) (Stark law restated)
Unprofessional Conduct
(g) Failure to report a change of name or mailing address within 30 days after the change occurs. Verify a license: http://w3.lara.state.mi.us/free/ Change an address: http://www.michigan.gov/elicense Pharmacists: Data Change/Duplicate License Request
Form Pharmacy facility: Relocation Application
(h) A violation, or aiding or abetting in a violation, of this article or of a rule promulgated under this article.
(i) Failure to comply with a subpoena Additional violations in subsections (j) through (t)
Other
Administrative ComplaintSTATE OF MICHIGAN
DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRSBUREAU OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES
BOARD OF PHARMACYDISCIPLINARY SUBCOMMITTEE
In the Matter ofAlias FakenameLicense No. 01-23-456789 /
Complaint No. 98-76-54321
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Answer Due
in 30 Days!
MCL 333.16231(5) A compliance conference can take place before or after an
administrative complaint is filed. The licensee may attend and may be represented by an attorney. Department staff may attend. A member of the Board of Pharmacy may attend who is not on
the Disciplinary Subcommittee (DSC). The parties are required to attempt to reach an agreement. If the parties reach an agreement, they will submit a Consent
Order and Stipulation to the DSC. No transcript is made. All records and documents involved are confidential.
Compliance Conference
Michigan Administrative Hearing System (MAHS). 611 W. Ottawa, 2d Fl, Lansing, MI 48909 Phone (517) 335-2484
Proceedings governed under the Administrative Procedures Act, 306 PA 1969, MCL 24.201 et seq.
Held in front of an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”).
Held in an informal setting. Relaxed Rules of Evidence. MCL 24.275
Administrative Hearing
Appointed by the Chair of the Board of Pharmacy. 2 Public Members (Non-Pharmacists). 3 Professional Members. Chair of the DSC must be a public member. MCL
333.16216(4). Majority vote, affirmative vote by at least 1 public member. Department may overrule DSC. MCL 333.16216(5). Decisions published on LARA website. MCL 333.16216(6). No conflict of interest allowed. MCL 333.16216a. May rely and act upon results, information and evidence
received as the result of an inspection. MCL 333.7515(2).
Disciplinary Subcommittee
MCL 333.16226 Denial of an application Reprimand Administrative Fine Probation Limitation (Must be accompanied by probation) Suspension Revocation Permanent Revocation Restitution ALL are reported to the National Practitioner
Data Bank
Sanctions
A decision by the DSC is appealed by right directly to the Court of Appeals. MCL 333.16237(6).
A decision by the full board is appealed by right to the Ingham County Circuit Court. MCL 24.301-6. An appeal of a decision from the circuit court
goes to the Court of Appeals. An appeal of a decision of the Court of Appeals
goes to the Michigan Supreme Court. An appeal from the Michigan Supreme Court
goes to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Appeal
A license that is revoked or suspended longer than six months may be reinstated. MCL 333.7315-6; 333.16245-9. “6+1” = Suspended for six months and a day. 1996 AACS R
338.1635(3), (5). Guidelines adopted November 4, 1996.
Community service or professional volunteer activity Substance abuse treatment (if applicable) Outpatient treatment for mental health (if applicable) Complied with terms of discipline including payment of fines Continuing education or consumption of current literature Clinical training, remedial education or refresher course Evaluation of professional skills by a qualified individual Good faith desire to be restored to the practice of pharmacy
Criminal background check by fingerprinting. Required probation for one year upon reinstatement. Limitation Reclassification. MCL 333.16249.
Reinstatement & Reclassification
New Law & New Requirements Allegation Investigation Violations Administrative Complaint Compliance Conference Administrative Hearing Disciplinary Subcommittee Sanctions Appeal Reinstatement & Reclassification
Overview
THANK YOU!
John R. WrightRogers & Associates, P.C.Attorneys and Counselors
[email protected] Detroit: (248) 702-6350
Great Lakes Bay: (989) 272-4434