When must a pharmacy provide a copy of its Notice of Privacy Practices?

A pharmacy must provide a copy of its Notice of Privacy Practices when it first provides service to the patient. This requirement aligns with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, which emphasize patient rights regarding their medical information and establish the obligation of healthcare providers, including pharmacies, to inform patients about their privacy practices upfront.

This initial provision allows patients to understand how their health information will be used and shared, and it helps ensure that they are aware of their rights regarding their information. Providing this notice at the outset of service is essential for establishing trust and maintaining transparency between the patient and the pharmacy.

By contrast, requesting notices upon any request by the patient or providing them each time a medication is dispensed would not fulfill the regulatory requirement of delivering this information at the point of first service. Distributing the notice only once a year fails to provide timely information that is relevant to new services or changes in privacy practices.