American Pharmacists Association > Practice > Patient Care Services > Medication Safety & Access

Medication Administration

Improving Patient Access to Injectable Medications

Your role in patient care has seen groundbreaking expansion in the past 20 years. From vaccine administration and medication therapy management, to in-depth coaching programs for chronic diseases. Pharmacy-based patient care activities have improved public health and enhanced the quality of life for patients across the country. Drawing on this success, and to further advance the pharmacists role in Medication Administration Services (MAS), which encompasses the administration of medications, support of patient self-administration, and provision of all related care coordination and care management services, APhA has developed a series of principles, practice guidance, and implementation tools to help support the integration of MAS into your practice.

Background Information

In 2016 APhA convened a stakeholder conference of national thought leaders in pharmacy practice including employers, pharmacy associations, and pharmaceutical companies to discuss opportunities to advance the pharmacist's role in the provision of injectable Medication Administration Services (MAS) and related patient care services. The full report was published in JAPhA in 2017.

MAS Resources

This resource investigates the issues, barriers, challenges, and opportunities for pharmacists to provide Medication Administration Services.
Practice Insights: Pharmacy-based Medication Administration Services Summit

Getting Started with MAS: The pharmacy team has an important role in implementing MAS. Build a foundation for success with these guiding principles for implementing MAS in your pharmacy.
Download the Guiding Principles

Practice Guidance for Implementing MAS: Are you ready to implement MAS in your pharmacy? Then get started with the valuable resources on this site, including how to use the JCPP Pharmacists' Patient Care Process, what you need to do to keep up with laws and regulations, and the additional training and education you should consider before providing MAS.
Download the Full Guidance Document

Tools for Implementing MAS

The following example forms and documents can be used and adapted to meet the needs of your pharmacy to implement MAS.

Checklist for MAS Using the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process
Example Patient Intake Form for MAS
Example Medications Appropriate for Administration
Example MAS Pharmacist Referral Form to Physician
Example MAS Information Sheet for Patients
Example Content Overview for MAS Policies and Procedures
Example Pharmacy MAS Protocol
Example Informed Consent for MAS
Example MAS Patient Appointment Card
Example MAS Follow-up Letter from Pharmacist to Prescriber

Create custom forms for your Pharmacy

Customize the Patient Intake Form
Customize the Pharmacist Referral Form
Customize the Information Sheet
Customize the Protocol
Customize the Informed Consent Form
Customize the Appointment Card
Customize the Follow-up Letter

Other Important MAS Resources

Information on state-specific laws and regulations that pertain to pharmacy-based medication administration can be found at https://naspa.us/resource/med-admin-resources/.

Pharmacists may also contact their state boards of pharmacy with specific questions about authority to provide MAS. Contacts for state board of pharmacy representatives can be accessed at https://nabp.pharmacy/boards-of-pharmacy/.

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