Medication Assistance Rule Update

On April 1, 2025, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission filed a rule adoption package to finalize the medication assistance rules found in chapter 246-945 WAC.

The purpose of the adopted rule is to make permanent and update regulatory guidelines around the practice of medication assistance under the commissions and department’s jurisdiction. The adopted rules establish criteria for medication assistance in community-based and in-home care settings in accordance with chapter 69.41 RCW. The definition for medication assistance provided in RCW 69.41.010(15) states:

“Medication assistance” means assistance rendered by a nonpractitioner to an individual residing in a community-based care setting or in-home care setting to facilitate the individual’s self-administration of a legend drug or controlled substance. It includes reminding or coaching the individual to take their medication, handing the medication container to the individual, opening the individual’s medication container, using an enabler, or placing the medication in the individual’s hand, handing an individual their prefilled insulin syringe, transferring an individual’s medication from one container to another in order to prepare an individual dose, and medication alteration, provided the individual is aware their medication is being altered.

Previous medication assistance rules could be found in chapter 246-888 WAC.

Updated rules are in chapter 246-945 WAC. The following WAC’s have been added:

• 246-945-710 Scope and applicability.
• 246-945-712 Definitions.
• 246-945-714 Medication assistance by nonpractitioners.
• 246-945-716 Self-Administration in a licensed assisted living facility.
• 246-945-718 Medication assistance-restrictions.

The new rules took effect May 2, 2025.