(1) MAPs and licensed health care practitioners must observe the following medication storage requirements:
    (a) Store each medication at the temperature appropriate for that medication, including refrigeration if required;
    (b) Destroy any prescription medication that has expired per the pharmacist’s label or the label provided by the manufacturer on OTC medications, or is no longer prescribed and document the medication disposal on a “”Medication Destruction Record,”” APD Form 65G-7.007 A, effective April 2019, incorporated herein by reference, which may be obtained at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10756. The MAP or licensed health care practitioner must sign the Record before a third-party witness;
    (c) Maintain medication samples in their original containers labeled by the dispensing health care practitioner with the client’s name, the practitioner’s name, and the directions for administering the medication. The MAP or licensed health care practitioner must initial and add to the label the date the medication is opened;
    (d) Maintain OTC medications in their original stock containers. OTC medications in original stock containers are not required to have individual client’s names provided on the container;
    (e) Store the medications centrally in a locked container in a secured enclosure if the client requiring the medication assistance is residing or receiving services in a facility setting;
    (f) Organize and maintain stored medications in a manner that ensures their safe retrieval and minimizes medication errors;
    (g) Store all medications that require refrigeration in a refrigerator, in their original containers either within a locked storage container that is clearly labeled as containing medications, or in a medication dedicated refrigerator located in a locked, secured medication storage room;
    (h) Return each medication to its portable or permanent storage unit immediately following medication administration assistance.
    (2) A residential facility or supported living client who does not require medication administration assistance or supervised self-administration may store his or her medication in a secure, locked place within his or her room. However, a client’s medications must be centrally stored and retrieved by the MAP or licensed health care practitioner if:
    (a) The client’s physician documents in the client’s file that leaving the medication in the personal possession of the client would constitute a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the client or others;
    (b) The client fails to securely maintain the medication in a locked place;
    (c) The MAP, licensed health care practitioner, facility administrator, or Agency determines that, based on the home’s physical arrangements or the habits of other residents, the client’s personal possession of medication poses a threat to the safety of others, or
    (d) The client or the client’s authorized representative requests in writing that the client’s medication be centrally stored.
    (3) Either a licensed health care practitioner or MAP must securely maintain keys to the locked containers and storage enclosures containing medications and provide written procedural provisions for accessibility to medications in cases of emergency.
    (4) If multiple clients are prescribed identical OTC medications, the facility may utilize a single stock container to provide the medications to multiple clients;
    (5) Controlled medication storage requires the following additional safeguards:
    (a) The controlled medications must be stored separately from other prescription and OTC medications in a locked container within a locked enclosure.
    (b) For facilities operating in shifts, a MAP or licensed health care practitioner must perform controlled medication counts for each incoming and outgoing personnel shift, as follows:
    1. The medication count must be performed by a MAP or licensed health care practitioner and witnessed by another MAP or licensed health care practitioner,
    2. Both providers must verify count accuracy by documenting the amount of medication present and comparing that amount to both the previous count and number of doses administered between counts,
    3. The providers must record the medication count on a “”Controlled Medication Form.”” The Controlled Medication Count Form, APD Form 65G-7.007 B, effective April 2019, incorporated herein, may be obtained at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10600. The MAP or licensed health care practitioner must sign and date the form verifying the count; and
    4. Immediately document and report any medication discrepancies to the facility supervisor.
    (c) For facilities with only one MAP or licensed health care practitioner per shift, the MAP or licensed health care practitioner must conduct, document, and sign a daily medication count on the Controlled Medication Form; and
    (d) For facilities with no shifts, the MAP or licensed health care practitioner who is responsible for medication administration must conduct, document, and sign a controlled medication count at least once each day on the Controlled Medication Form, using the same counting and documentation technique described in paragraph (5)(c).
Rulemaking Authority 393.501, 393.506 FS. Law Implemented Florida Statutes § 393.506. History-New 3-30-08, Amended 7-1-19.