Can the registered nurse fill medication organizers or repackage medications into an individual pill container with individual doses?

The NCQAC supports the use of medication organizers when using the standards of practice of medication administration. It is acceptable for the registered nurse to prepare a medication organizer or individual pill containers under the following conditions:

• Medications being placed into an organizer or individual pill container must already be dispensed by a pharmacist or other authorized health care provider;
• The medication organizer or individual pill container must be properly labeled with the patient’s name, name of the medication, dosage of each medication, frequency which the mediation is given;
• The RN must consult with the prescriber, pharmacist or other health care provider as appropriate.
• The medication must be stored properly and safely in a secured system.

See the Advisory Opinion on Medisets, the Medication Organizer Device Letter from Secretary of Health (PDF), and the Medication Organizer Device (PDF) for more information.