Standards of Practice for Fellows of the ACA:

To be accredited for Fellowship, Fellows must adhere to the Standards of Practice for Fellows of the ACA, with meeting all of Type 1 Standards and a minimum of 80% compliance to Type-2 Standards. These standards are considered practice ideals and should be pursued by all Fellows.

TYPE 1 STANDARDS (All Are Required)

Standard 1

The pharmacist shall be in good standing with their respective State Board of Pharmacy, local, state and federal regulations and legislative statutes and have copies of these documents in the pharmacy.

Standard 2

The pharmacist shall continue their professional education by attending continuing education experiences and reading professional publications.  Educational activities shall include personally attending at least one ACA meeting every three years.

Standard 3

The pharmacist will not be involved in agreements, which provide financial incentives to prescribers to refer patients for services.

TYPE 2 STANDARDS (a minimum of 80% compliance )

Standard 4
The pharmacist must have decision making authority for all professional decisions.

Standard 5
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco will not be offered for sale.

Standard 6
Compounded prescriptions shall be prepared and dispensed to patients in accordance with the guidelines and standards provided by the current United States Pharmacopeia/National Formulary. Compounding equipment should be available and properly maintained. All personnel engaged in compounding shall be properly trained in appropriate record keeping, equipment operation, and be familiar with all standard operating procedures performed in the compounding area. Compounding activities shall meet all requirements of the Drug, Quality and Security Act of 2012, specifically the requirement for a valid prescription for an individual patient prior to dispensing the compounded medication.

Standard 7
All new prescription medications shall be dispensed directly by the pharmacist to the patient or their representative.  Complete dosage directions, precautions, proper storage conditions and other essential information related to the medicine shall be explained at this time to the patient or their representative.

Standard 8
A proper professional image shall be presented by the pharmacist to the patient.  This image shall include neat, professional attire; open display of pharmacy and pharmacist’s license; and operation of the prescription department in an orderly manner.

Standard 9
Any professional promotions or communications program should attempt to assure that all patients receive adequate information concerning services and charges.

Standard 10
Professional surroundings for the patient shall be maintained in the pharmacy.  These surroundings include waiting areas with chairs, consultation areas and the stocking of health-related materials.

Standard 11
The pharmacist shall serve as a source of health information to patients in an effort to optimize  preventive medicine and health maintenance.

Standard 12
The pharmacist shall maintain a sufficient up-to-date library to optimally practice their role as a drug information specialist.  This library shall include references on toxicology, drug interactions, compounding, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacology, medicine and others. In addition to the toxicology text, ready access should be made available to the local poison control center. This library may consist of a combination of paper and electronic sources.  A veterinary-specific drug reference shall be available if any dispensing to animal patients occurs.

Standard 13
The pharmacist shall have the ability to evaluate the common signs and symptoms of acute self-limiting illness.

Standard 14
The pharmacist shall have the ability to consult with prescribers about the proper drug entity and design of regimens for patients.

Standard 15
The pharmacist shall have the ability to monitor the patient’s response to legend and non-legend medications.

Standard 16
The pharmacy shall be maintained in a clean orderly manner with good lighting and merchandise neatly displayed.

Standard 17
Patient records will be kept which document the recommendations and counseling given to patients. These records must be maintained in conformance with current HIPPA regulations.