State Recommended Pharmacy Storage Protocols

When it comes to appropriate storage of drugs in pharmacies, each state is responsible for establishing regulatory requirements that will be effective within that state. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), which is a non-profit organization assists each state board of pharmacy in creating uniform standards for education as well as licenses. Listed below are a few US state boards and their regulatory guidelines for appropriate pharmacy storage:

The State Board of Texas

 According to the State Board of Texas, pharmacists are responsible for appropriate storage of medication as per the instructions printed on the medication labels. They are to possess refrigerators and freezers that maintain consistent temperatures as per drug storage requirements. 

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The State Board of Virginia

The State Board of Virginia has dictated that pharmacies should be equipped with appropriate storage units like refrigerators and freezers, as well as thermometers for monitoring temperatures for drugs that require cold storage temperatures. It has also clearly defined separate temperature ranges at which drugs need to be stored.

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The State Board of Alabama

According to Section 34-23-155 of the Statutes and Rules of The State Board of Alabama, containers in which drugs are stored, such as medical refrigerators and freezers, should be maintained in a way to prevent contamination of drugs. They should also be developed out of material suitable for drug storage and should not affect the quality, strength or purity of the drugs stored within (Act 2003-389, p. 1094, §6.).

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The State Board of Florida

The State Board of Florida in its regulations, states that adequate and appropriate arrangements should be made for pharmaceuticals that require refrigeration. They should be stored according to necessary requirements to preserve their efficacy (64B16-28.102). Manufacturer’s recommended guidelines related to storage and transportation conditions (light and heat exposure, etc) must be adhered to carefully (64B16-28.750).  

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The State Board of Iowa

As per Chapter 8 (Pharmacies) of the Universal Practice Standards published by the State Board of Iowa, pharmacies must house the appropriate equipment for safe storage of drugs. The state mandates the provision of at least one refrigerator, the temperature of which is maintained according to storage requirements, and constantly monitored using a thermometer. It also states that pharmacies must be adequately lit and ventilated, and temperature and humidity levels must be in accordance with storage requirements.

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The State Board of New Jersey

The State Board of New Jersey requires that pharmacies store drugs and chemicals under appropriate storage conditions in terms of temperature, humidity, light and ventilation as mentioned by the drug manufacturer. In case no requirements are mentioned, the drug is to be stored at ambient temperature and away from moisture and light. It also requires the use of a medical refrigerator/freezer for storage of drugs.

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The State Board of New York

The State Board of New York has provided regulations for storage conditions and appropriate temperatures for medical components. They have stressed the importance of controlling environmental conditions like temperature, humidity and lighting. They have also mentioned that drugs are required to be stored at temperature ranges between 2 to 8 degrees Celsius.

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The State Board of California

As per the State Board of California, refrigerators and freezers are mandatory for pharmacies that store medical components that are to be stored at lower temperatures. While not specifying any requirements by itself, the board necessitates adherence to National or manufacturers regulations for storage. 

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The State Board of Colorado

The State Board of Colorado has necessitated the requirement of a dedicated refrigerator and/or freezer for storage of drugs requiring lower storage temperatures. They have quoted the required temperatures as ranging between 2 to 8 degrees Celsius for refrigerated drugs and -25 to -10 degrees Celsius for frozen items. They also mandate monitoring of temperatures on a daily basis.

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The State Board of Arizona

As per the law book of the State Board of Arizona, pharmacists are required to have appropriate equipment such as refrigerators that are dedicated for the storage of drugs and biologicals. The refrigerators and freezers are to maintain temperatures compatible to the drugs and other medical components stored therein. 

Read detailed regulations by the State Board of Arizona

Adhering to these regulations can help keep your valued medical assets in good condition until the time that they are to be used. Aegis can help you stick to these requirements to the maximum with the help of our medical fridges and freezers that are compliant to these regulations. Call us on 1-800-796-2344 to find out more.