Enrolled Bill Summary

            Senate Bill 98 amends the Occupations Code to establish guidelines for automated pharmacy systems. The bill authorizes certain pharmacies to provide pharmacy services through an automated pharmacy system at another location and provides that the pharmacist in charge of the facility is responsible for filling and loading the storage containers for medication stored in bulk at the facility. The automated system must be under the continuous supervision of a pharmacist, and this supervision may be accomplished by electronic means. The bill specifies that automated pharmacy systems may only be located at health care facilities regulated by the state and requires the State Pharmacy Board to adopt rules regarding the use of automated pharmacy systems, including the types of facilities where automated systems may be located, recordkeeping requirements, and security requirements.