Book excerpt: This book is newly updated in September to reflect major rule changes promulgated by the Pharmacy Commission, and includes a supplement to help prepare for the Washington MPJE. It provides pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and owners or managers of pharmacies with the information they need to know about the law that affects the practice of pharmacy in the State of Washington. This Readers will use it not only to prepare for licensure, but to help assure that as licensees of the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission they will enjoy long and successful careers without unnecessary legal entanglements.Others who have found this book useful are attorneys, paralegals, compliance officers, and regulators whose professional responsibilities encompass pharmacy practice or pharmaceuticals in Washington State.Each of the chapters covers a particular topic area, and combines in one place the related state and federal law and regulations, as well as decisions by state and federal courts that are not readily found in normal state pharmacy law sources. References to other hard to locate material include Commission policies, meeting minutes, and guidelines published by other agencies, commissions, or boards.For those who are using the book as a textbook, each chapter includes a list of ACPE Guidelines and MPJE Competencies that are covered therein.Chapter 1 - Introduction to the law, courts, and laws, and the structure of state and federal government.Chapter 2 - How to become a pharmacist, intern, pharmacy technician, or pharmacy assistant.Chapter 3 - How to establish, operate, or close a practice site or pharmacy business.Chapter 4 - How to legally and safely provide drugs and devices to patients.Chapter - How to deal with controlled substances and the DEA.Chapter 6 - How to obtain and use patient information to improve patient care, and when and when not to disclose protected health information.Chapter 7 - How to avoid discipline, civil lawsuits, and how to deal with employer-employee relationships and conflicts.Chapter 8 - How to avoid legal difficulties when dealing with Medicaid, Medicare, and 3rd party payers.