Section 220. General requirements for pharmacies providing radiopharmaceutical services

Part V. Nuclear Pharmacies

A. Nuclear pharmacies shall comply with standards and requirements of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Virginia Department of Health related to the staffing and operation of the facility.

B. Radiopharmaceuticals are to be dispensed only upon an order from a prescriber authorized to possess, use and administer radiopharmaceuticals.

1. Orders shall originate at an institution or healthcare facility licensed to receive and possess radiopharmaceuticals, and must contain all necessary information relative to the radiopharmaceutical, activity, time of calibration, and any special preparation or delivery instructions.

2. Orders for radiopharmaceuticals may be transmitted orally, by fax, or by electronic transmission by an authorized agent of the prescriber. If the fax or electronic transmission of the authorized agent is pursuant to an oral order from the prescriber, the transmitted document need not include the prescriber's signature, but must include the name of the agent.

C. The immediate outside container of a radioactive drug to be dispensed shall also be labeled in accordance with requirements of § 54.1-3410.1 B of the Code of Virginia.

D. The immediate inner container shall be labeled with: (i) the standard radiation symbol; (ii) the words "Caution--Radioactive Material"; and (iii) the serial number assigned to the order.

E. Nuclear pharmacies may redistribute approved radioactive drugs if the pharmacy does not process the radioactive drugs in any manner nor violate the product packaging.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR530-01-1 § 4.1, eff. October 25, 1989; amended, Volume 09, Issue 04, eff. December 16, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 01, eff. November 4, 1993; Volume 11, Issue 21, eff. August 9, 1995; Volume 15, Issue 08, eff. February 3, 1999; Volume 16, Issue 21, eff. August 2, 2000; Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004; Volume 25, Issue 04, eff. December 11, 2008.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.