MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION BY THE PHARMACY WORKFORCE

To support the position that the administration of medications is within the scope of pharmacy practice; further,

To advocate that states grant pharmacists and appropriately supervised student pharmacists and pharmacy technicians the authority to administer medications; further,

To support the position that pharmacists should be participants in establishing procedures in their own work settings with respect to the administration of medications (by anyone) and monitoring the safety and outcomes of medication administration.

Rationale

Laws, regulations, and local policies on medication administration vary greatly. Medications are routinely administered by many different practitioners, including nurses, physicians, radiology and nuclear medicine technologists, nurses aides, laboratory technologists, dental hygienists, respiratory therapists, and physical therapists. ASHP believes that administration of medications is within the scope of pharmacy practice and supports laws, regulations, and local policies that allow for it and for medication administration by appropriately trained and supervised student pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Decisions about pharmacists’ involvement in medication administration should be made by individual healthcare organizations, which have an awareness of their resources and the adequacy of their medication administration processes. Patient need should be the primary factor in deciding who administers medications in any institution, and pharmacists should be involved in the institution’s decision-making process regarding procedures used to administer medications.