Emergency Medication Assistance Regulations Finally Move Forward to CR102 Status
Since spring of 2021, the medication assistance regulations have been in emergency status. WHCA has been working with DSHS, DOH, and other stakeholders to create a version of the medication assistance WACs that have been filed by DOH via CR102. While this process has been an arduous one, we are pleased to see the pieces we urged the department preserve:
- No pre-pouring of medications (found in the current version WAC 246-945-718 (2))
- The assisted living “carve out”, allowing residents who cannot physically self-administer medications to accurately direct staff to get it where it needs to go [without the need for RN delegation] (found in the current version WAC 246-945-718)
WHCA is appreciative of those members who reviewed this WAC in its many iterations over the years and provided feedback to inform this process. Elena Madrid from WHCA testified on the last iteration of the draft WACs during a pharmacy commission meeting in May; the commission members were thankful for the robust preparation and historical knowledge held by WHCA staff.
The hearing for this proposed WAC is scheduled for December 12th at 0930; information on how to attend, if you are interested, is on the first page of the WAC 246-945-718.
For questions about the medication assistance regulations, email Vicki McNealley or call 360-352-3304 extension 107.
