What are the requirements for a pharmacy to outsource centralized prescription processing services?

The requirement for pharmacies to engage in outsourced centralized prescription processing services is that they must share the same owner and have a written contract. This ensures that both pharmacies involved in the process are operating under the same corporate structure, which helps maintain accountability, legal compliance, and operational consistency. A written contract is essential to outline the terms, responsibilities, and mutual agreements between the parties to avoid misunderstandings and ensure adherence to applicable regulations.

Having a verbal agreement would not provide the necessary legal protection or clarity needed for such services, while location in the same state may be relevant to some regulatory considerations, it is not a primary condition for outsourcing prescription processing. The length of time a pharmacy has been established does not influence their ability to outsource these services. Therefore, sharing ownership and having a comprehensive written agreement are critical to ensure that the pharmacies operate within the legal framework established by state and federal regulations.