State Board of Pharmacy to Regulate Delivery of Medications in Jails – Your Input Needed

On July 16, the State Board of Pharmacy (BOP) held a stakeholder meeting to receive comments on a proposed rule that would require a licensed medical professional to administer medication to inmates in correctional facilities. The original rule was first filed in July, 2007, and applied to the eight "correctional pharmacies" in the Department of Corrections facilities and the largest local jails.

After the initial meeting on that rule, the Board decided to broaden its reach and apply to all correctional facilities. As written, it is expected to impact all correctional facilities and will likely increase costs to cities that use those facilities. To be put on the stakeholder list to provide comments, please see the directions included here.

Acting on advice from their assistant attorney general, the Board of Pharmacy believes they have the responsibility to regulate medications prescribed to inmates, and how those medications are given out. The statute distinguishes between "dispense," "administer," and "deliver" and requires licensed medical personnel to perform the first two functions. If prescribed medications are removed from their original packaging and either placed in an intermediate container or handed to the inmate, it is considered to be "administering" drugs, and requires a medical license to perform. "Delivery" would require handing the original package to the inmate and allowing him or her to self-administer, selecting the dosage personally. While this may be done by unlicensed personnel, obviously for incarcerated individuals, it is problematic.

At the stakeholder meeting, BOP staff recognized that they did not give notice to affected jurisdictions appropriately and committed to holding additional meetings and seeking more input before acting on the rule. Please sign up to be notified of stakeholder meetings in your area, and provide comments on the expected increase in costs to comply with this current draft. AWC staff will continue to participate as this rule is developed, and will provide updates in future editions of the Bulletin.

For more information, contact Tammy Fellin at tammyf@awcnet.org.

Grants for Gang Enforcement and Graffiti Abatement – Applications due July 31

Earlier this month the Washington Association of Sheriff and Police Chiefs (WASPC) sent cities Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) for two gang-related grant programs funded by the 2008 Legislature.

Approximately $500,000 will be made available to 3 to 5 jurisdictions for enhanced gang activity enforcement activities. The second program will make $200,000 available for many smaller grants for graffiti abatement programs. Applications are due by July 31, 2008.

For more information, see the WASPC website www.waspc.org or contact Dawn Larsen, Director of Projects at dlarsen@waspc.org.

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