Section 246-867-050. Participation in approved substance abuse monitoring program.

(1) The pharmacist who has been investigated by the board may accept board referral into the approved substance abuse monitoring program. This may be part of disciplinary action.

(a) The pharmacist shall undergo a complete physical and psychosocial evaluation before entering the approved monitoring program. This evaluation will be performed by health care professionals with expertise in chemical dependency. The person(s) performing the evaluation shall not also be the provider of the recommended treatment.

(b) The pharmacist shall enter into a contract with the board and the approved substance abuse monitoring program to comply with the requirements of the program which shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) The pharmacist will undergo intensive substance abuse treatment in an approved treatment facility.

(ii) The pharmacist will agree to abstain from the use of all mind-altering substances, including alcohol, except for medications prescribed by an authorized prescriber, as defined in RCW 69.41.030 and 69.50.101. Said prescriber shall notify the monitoring program of all drugs prescribed within fourteen days of the date care was provided.

(iii) The pharmacist must complete the prescribed aftercare program of the intensive treatment facility. This may include individual and/or group psychotherapy.

(iv) The pharmacist must cause the treatment counselor(s) and authorized prescriber(s) to provide reports to the appropriate monitoring program at specified intervals. Reports shall include treatment prognosis, goals, drugs prescribed, etc.

(v) The pharmacist shall submit to random drug screening, with observed specimen collection, as specified by the approved monitoring program.

(vi) The pharmacist will attend pharmacist support groups facilitated by a pharmacist and/or twelve-step group meetings as specified by the contract.

(vii) The pharmacist will comply with specified employment conditions and restrictions as defined by the contract.

(viii) The pharmacist shall sign a waiver allowing the approved monitoring program to release information to the board if the pharmacist does not comply with the requirements of this contract.

(c) The pharmacist is responsible for paying the costs of the physical and psychosocial evaluation, substance abuse treatment, random urine screens, and other personal expenses incurred in compliance with this contract.

(d) The pharmacist may be subject to disciplinary action under RCW 18.64.160 if the pharmacist does not consent to be referred to the approved monitoring program, does not comply with specified employment restrictions, or does not successfully complete the program.

(2) A pharmacist who is not being investigated by the board or subject to current disciplinary action or currently being monitored by the board for substance abuse may voluntarily participate in the approved substance abuse monitoring program without being referred by the board. Such voluntary participants shall not be subject to disciplinary action under RCW 18.64.160 for their substance abuse and shall not have their participation known to the board if they meet the requirements of the approved monitoring program:

(a) The pharmacist shall undergo a complete physical and psychosocial evaluation before entering the approved monitoring program. This evaluation will be performed by a health care professional with expertise in chemical dependency. The person(s) performing the evaluation shall not also be the provider of the recommended treatment.

(b) The pharmacist shall enter into a contract with the approved substance abuse monitoring program to comply with the requirements of the program which shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) The pharmacist will undergo intensive substance abuse treatment in an approved treatment facility.

(ii) The pharmacist will agree to abstain from the use of all mind-altering substances, including alcohol, except for medications prescribed by an authorized prescriber, as defined in RCW 69.41.030 and 69.50.101. Said prescriber shall notify the monitoring program of all drugs prescribed within fourteen days of the date care was provided.

(iii) The pharmacist must cause the treatment counselor(s) and authorized prescriber(s) to provide reports to the approved monitoring program at specified intervals. Reports shall include treatment prognosis, goals, drugs prescribed, etc.

(v) The pharmacist shall submit to random drug screening, with observed specimen collection, as specified by the approved monitoring program.

(vi) The pharmacist will attend pharmacist support groups facilitated by a pharmacist and/or twelve-step group meetings as specified by the contract.

(vii) The pharmacist will comply with specified employment conditions and restrictions as defined by the contract.

(viii) The pharmacist shall sign a waiver allowing the approved monitoring program to release information to the board if the pharmacist does not comply with the requirements of this contract.

(c) The pharmacist is responsible for paying the costs of the physical and psychosocial evaluation, substance abuse treatment, random urine screens, and other personal expenses incurred in compliance with this contract.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005 and chapter 18.64A RCW. WSR 91-18-057 (Order 191B), recodified as § 246-867-050, filed 8/30/91, effective 9/30/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005. WSR 90-03-054 (Order 025), § 360-15-060, filed 1/17/90, effective 2/17/90.]

RCW 18.64.005 and chapter 18.64A RCW. WSR 91-18-057 (Order 191B), recodified as § 246-867-050, filed 8/30/91, effective 9/30/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005. WSR 90-03-054 (Order 025), § 360-15-060, filed 1/17/90, effective 2/17/90.