New Mexico Register / Volume XXXII, Issue 22 / November 30, 2021

This is an amendment to 16.19.22 NMAC, Section 1, 3 and 16, effective 11/30/2021.

16.19.22.1 ISSUING AGENCY: [Regulation and Licensing Department-] Board of Pharmacy [, (505) 222-9835].

[16.19.22.1 NMAC - Rp, 16 NMAC 19.22.1, 6/27/2001; A, 11/15/2010; A, 11/30/2021]

16.19.22.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Subsection A of Section 61-11-6 [-(A)] NMSA 1978 authorizes the Board of pharmacy to register and regulate qualifications, training and permissible activities of pharmacy technicians.

[16.19.22.3 NMAC - Rp, 16 NMAC 19.22.3, 6/27/2001; A, 11/30/2021]

16.19.22.16 PHARMACY TECHNICIAN ADMINISTRATION OF VACCINES: A certified pharmacy technician may administer vaccines prescribed by and under the direct supervision of a New Mexico licensed pharmacist with current immunization prescriptive authority “qualified pharmacist,” if all requirements of this section are met.

A. Training and education:

(1) The pharmacy technician must successfully complete an accreditation council for pharmacy education (ACPE) accredited immunization certification course for pharmacy technicians. This training must include study materials, hands-on injection technique, and the recognition and treatment of emergency reactions to vaccines. Pharmacy technicians who successfully completed said training prior to the enactment date of this section will be grandfathered.

(2) The pharmacy technician must complete and maintain current basic life support/cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BLS/CPR) certification.

(3) Continuing Education: Any pharmacy technician engaging in administration of vaccines shall complete a minimum of 0.2 CEU of ACPE accredited vaccine related continuing education during each registration period.

B. Competency assurance:

(1) The pharmacist-in-charge is responsible for ensuring that the technician has completed the required training; and possesses the knowledge, skills and abilities to appropriately engage in vaccine administration.

(2) The pharmacist-in-charge is responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining proper policies and procedures, which must include training and competency oversight to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section. Such procedures shall include an initial observation by a qualified pharmacist to ensure proper administration technique.

(3) The pharmacist-in-charge and technician are responsible for maintaining training and education documentation.

C. Oversight and activities:

(1) While the pharmacy technician may draw up the vaccine into a syringe, the supervising qualified pharmacist is responsible for final verification.

(2) The qualified pharmacist must provide patient counseling, as appropriate.

(3) The identity of the pharmacy technician who administered each dose of vaccine will be documented. The qualified pharmacist is responsible for ensuring proper documentation.

(4) Supervision: A qualified pharmacist may not supervise more than two pharmacy technicians administering vaccines in a pharmacy setting. A pharmacist whose duties are dedicated to vaccination (e.g. vaccination clinic) may not supervise more than six qualified pharmacy technicians administering vaccines at one time. It is the responsibility of the pharmacist in charge to ensure adequate staffing levels for duties performed.

D. All records required under this section shall be readily available for inspection and produced to the board or the board’s agent upon request.

[16.19.22.16 NMAC – N, 11/30/2021]