Section 246-867-010. Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter:

(1) "Chemical dependence - Substance abuse" means a chronic progressive illness which involves the use of alcohol and/or other drugs to a degree that it interferes in the functional life of the registrant/licensee, as manifested by health, family, job (professional services), legal, financial, or emotional problems.

(2) "Board" means the Washington state board of pharmacy.

(3) "Diversion" means illicit dispensing, distribution, or administration of a scheduled controlled substance or other legend drug not in the normal course of professional practice.

(4) "Drug" means a chemical substance alone or in combination, including alcohol.

(5) "Impaired pharmacist" means a pharmacist who is unable to practice pharmacy with judgment, skill, competence, or safety to the public due to chemical dependence, mental illness, the aging process, loss of motor skills, or any other mental or physical condition.

(6) "Approved substance abuse monitoring program" means a pharmacy recovery assistance program or program which the board has determined meets the requirement of the law and the criteria established by the board in WAC 246-867-040 which enters into a contract with pharmacists who have substance abuse problems regarding the required components of the pharmacists recovery activity and oversees the pharmacist's compliance with these requirements. Substance abuse monitoring programs do not provide evaluation or treatment to participating pharmacists.

(7) "Contract" means a comprehensive, structured agreement between the recovering pharmacist and the approved monitoring program stipulating the pharmacist's consent to comply with the monitoring program and its required components of the pharmacist's recovery program.

(8) "Approved treatment program" means a facility approved by the bureau of alcohol and substance abuse, department of social and health services according to RCW 70.96A.020(3) to provide concentrated alcoholism or drug addiction treatment if located within Washington state. Drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs located out-of-state must be equivalent to the standards required for approval under RCW 70.96A.020(3).

(9) "Aftercare" means that period of time after intensive treatment that provides the pharmacist and the pharmacist's family with group, or individualized counseling sessions, discussions with other families, ongoing contact and participation in self-help groups, and ongoing continued support of treatment program staff.

(10) "Twelve-step groups" means groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, and related organizations based on a philosophy of anonymity, peer group associations, self-help belief in a power outside of oneself which offer support to the recovering individual to maintain a chemically free lifestyle.

(11) "Random drug screens" are laboratory tests to detect the presence of drugs of abuse in body fluids which are performed at irregular intervals not known in advance by the person to be tested. The collection of the body fluid must be observed by a treatment or health care professional or other board or monitoring program-approved observer.

(12) "Recovering" means that a chemically dependent pharmacist is in compliance with a treatment plan of rehabilitation in accordance with criteria established by an approved treatment facility and an approved substance abuse monitoring program.

(13) "Rehabilitation" means the process of restoring a chemically dependent pharmacist to a level of professional performance consistent with public health and safety.

(14) "Reinstatement" means the process whereby a recovering pharmacist is permitted to resume the practice of pharmacy.

(15) "Pharmacist support group" means a group of pharmacists meeting regularly to support the recovery of its members. The group provides a confidential setting with a trained and experienced pharmacist facilitator in which pharmacists may safely discuss drug diversion, licensure issues, return to work, and other issues related to recovery.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005 and 18.130.050. WSR 92-12-035 (Order 277B), § 246-867-010, filed 5/28/92, effective 6/28/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005 and chapter 18.64A RCW. WSR 91-18-057 (Order 191B), recodified as § 246-867-010, filed 8/30/91, effective 9/30/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005. WSR 90-03-054 (Order 025), § 360-15-020, filed 1/17/90, effective 2/17/90.]

RCW 18.64.005 and 18.130.050. WSR 92-12-035 (Order 277B), § 246-867-010, filed 5/28/92, effective 6/28/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005 and chapter 18.64A RCW. WSR 91-18-057 (Order 191B), recodified as § 246-867-010, filed 8/30/91, effective 9/30/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005. WSR 90-03-054 (Order 025), § 360-15-020, filed 1/17/90, effective 2/17/90.

Rules

246-867-040,