Alabama Administrative Code › Title 580 - ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH › Chapter 580-2-9 - PROGRAM OPERATION › Section 580-2-9-.26 - Indigent Drug Program

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1) A
			 consumer in the Indigent Drug Program (IDP) must be under the care of a
			 licensed physician who may be either in private practice or on the staff of a
			 mental health center.
(2) Each
			 consumer must have a psychiatric diagnosis established before any prescription
			 is filled.
(3) Every consumer on
			 the IDP must be an active consumer of the center even if medication is
			 prescribed by a non-center physician.
(4) Each consumer should receive a direct
			 service at least every 90 days. Case notes should be completed for each
			 contact.
(5) All chemotherapy must
			 be documented in the consumer records in accordance with section 580-2-9-.06.
			 Additional comments may be made on the service record and in the case
			 notes.
(6) All prescribed
			 medication issued by the IDP is subject to review by the mental health center's
			 Medical Director.
(7) All consumers
			 receiving psychotropic drugs shall be seen and evaluated by a licensed
			 physician at intervals not to exceed a 6 month period.
(8) Approved dispensing agencies must use the
			 IDP financial and clinical eligibility criteria as published by the Alabama
			 Department of Mental Health. Exception: One-time only for prescriptions from a
			 state institution, crisis stabilization program, for a documented emergency, or
			 until compassionate need medication can be obtained.
(9) Financial information as well as clinical
			 documentation in sufficient detail to determine eligibility for participation
			 in the Indigent Drug Program will be in the consumer records. This information
			 will be updated at least on an annual basis.
(10) All consumers of the Indigent Drug
			 Program must be screened for third party eligibility. Consumers who qualify for
			 Medicaid, insurance or compassionate need programs will not be furnished drugs
			 that are available through these other sources.
(11) The provider shall have a policy that
			 prohibits the sale of drugs.
(12)
			 The provider shall establish a nominal dispensing fee to cover the costs of
			 dispensing medication, including salary of the pharmacist, cost of containers,
			 labels, etc. An additional charge may be assessed if it is necessary to mail
			 any prescriptions.
(13) All records
			 required by state and federal laws governing the storage and handling of drugs
			 must be maintained.
(14) All
			 prescriptions filled with drugs furnished by the State of Alabama for use in
			 the Indigent Drug Program must be filled exclusively within the confines of the
			 mental health center or its satellite facilities.
(15) The provider shall follow Alabama
			 Department of Mental Health operating procedures relative to ordering, storage,
			 and accounting for medication obtained and dispensed through the IDP.
(16) Pharmacies used for the IDP are licensed
			 by the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy and are staffed either part-time or
			 full-time, by a pharmacist registered in Alabama.
(17) The registered pharmacist, as the
			 legally responsible person, shall compound (fill) and/or dispense all
			 prescriptions.
(18) The state
			 office must be advised of any changes in key personnel involved with the
			 Indigent Drug Program and appropriate in-service training by the Coordinator of
			 Community Pharmacy Services will be available, if needed.
(19) Adequate clerical support must be
			 provided to insure that the necessary reports, records, etc., are
			 executed.
(20) The Coordinator of
			 Community Pharmacy Services must be notified of any planned change in the
			 location of a pharmacy.
(a) In case of change
			 of address of the center, the following are to be notified when the date of
			 change is final:
1. Alabama State Board of
			 Pharmacy.
2. Drug Enforcement
			 Administration.