Illinois § 25.10

§ 25.10.

Remote prescription processing. (a) In this Section, "remote prescription processing" means and includes the outsourcing of certain prescription functions to another pharmacy or licensed non-resident pharmacy. "Remote prescription processing" includes any of the following activities related to the dispensing process: (1) Receiving, interpreting, evaluating, or clarifying prescriptions. (2) Entering prescription and patient data into a data processing system. (3) Transferring prescription information. (4) Performing a drug regimen review. (5) Obtaining refill or substitution authorizations or otherwise communicating with the prescriber concerning a patient's prescription. (6) Evaluating clinical data for prior authorization for dispensing. (7) Discussing therapeutic interventions with prescribers. (8) Providing drug information or counseling concerning a patient's prescription to the patient or patient's agent, as defined in this Act. (b) A pharmacy may engage in remote prescription processing under the following conditions: (1) The pharmacies shall either have the same owner or have a written contract describing the scope of services to be provided and the responsibilities and accountabilities of each pharmacy in compliance with all federal and State laws and regulations related to the practice of pharmacy. (2) The pharmacies shall share a common electronic file or have technology that allows sufficient information necessary to process a non-dispensing function. (3) The records may be maintained separately by each pharmacy or in a common electronic file shared by both pharmacies, provided that the system can produce a record at either location that shows each processing task, the identity of the person performing each task, and the location where each task was performed. (c) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit an individual employee licensed as a pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or student pharmacist from accessing the employer pharmacy's database from a home or other remote location or pharmacist's home verification for the purpose of performing certain prescription processing functions, provided that the pharmacy establishes controls to protect the privacy and security of confidential records. (Source: P.A. 102-882, eff. 1-1-23; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23.)