Use of automated prescription dispensing machine in long-term care pharmacies authorized. Regulations

(a) As used in this section: (1) “Long-term care pharmacy” (A) means a pharmacy licensed under section 20-594, or registered as a nonresident pharmacy under section 20-627, that stores and dispenses legend drugs and legend devices to patients or residents of licensed nursing homes, rest homes, residential care homes or other supervised residential facilities and from which related pharmaceutical care services are provided, and (B) includes pharmacies located both inside and outside of such facilities but does not include those that are part of a licensed hospital; (2) “nursing home” has the same meaning as provided in section 19a-490; and (3) “automated prescription dispensing machine” has the same meaning as provided in section 20-571. A long-term care pharmacy may operate an automated prescription dispensing machine in a nursing home in accordance with a protocol approved in writing by the Department of Consumer Protection, until such time as regulations are adopted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. The annual fee to operate an automated prescription dispensing machine shall be one hundred dollars per machine. (b) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of subsection (a) of this section. After the adoption of such regulations, the operation of an automated prescription dispensing machine, as described in subsection (a) of this section, shall be in accordance with such regulations.