CA SB1039

Pharmacy technicians may perform packaging, manipulative, repetitive, or nondiscretionary tasks only while assisting and under direct supervision and control of a pharmacist, with specific technician-to-pharmacist ratios (1:1 for single pharmacist, 2:1 for additional pharmacists).

Intern pharmacists under direct pharmacist supervision may stock, replenish, and inspect emergency pharmaceutical supplies containers and emergency medical system supplies in licensed general acute care hospitals, with monthly drug inspections required.

Hospital pharmacies may furnish dangerous drugs or devices pursuant to preprinted or electronic standing orders, order sets, and protocols approved by the hospital's governing body, provided orders are dated, timed, and authenticated in the patient's medical record.

Licensed general acute care hospitals must store and maintain drugs according to national standards for storage areas and temperature ranges, and must adopt policies regarding repackaging and labeling of bulk cleaning agents and hazardous substances (pharmacist consultation required only in sterile compounding areas).

Pharmacists initiating or adjusting drug regimens are added to the list of practitioners authorized to prescribe, furnish, or administer controlled substances under specified circumstances.