In response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s emergency declaration and consistent with the authority of the Board of Pharmacy to waive Pharmacy Law or the regulations, the Board president Greg Lippe extended the previously approved limited waiver on pharmacists initiating and administering vaccines through May 29, 2021. More information can be found at the following link. Pharmacists Initiating and Administering Vaccines, CCR section 1746.4(d)

Also in California, On March 24, 2021, CalRecycle staff will conduct a webinar to present the statutory and regulatory requirements, submittal process, and timing for covered drugs and home-generated sharps waste stewardship plans and initial program budgets as required by the Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship law and its implementing regulations.

Also in California, The Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services held a hearing this week to review the Governor’s proposal to provide $12 million in funding Medi-Cal coverage of continuous glucose monitors. NACDS is part of a Coalition supporting Medi-Cal coverage of CGMs.

Also in California, The Board of Pharmacy created a voluntary online registry to help consumers find specific health care services that qualified pharmacists may provide to patients without a prescription.

The health services are:

  1. Self-administered hormonal contraception.
  2. Emergency contraception.
  3. Vaccinations.
  4. Travel medications.
  5. Nicotine replacement therapy.
  6. Naloxone.
  7. HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
  8. HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP).

Also in California, The Medi-Cal web portal Provider Registration and Training FAQs are now available and can be accessed here.

Also in California, The Board of Pharmacy will hold a Teleconference Public Meeting on Thursday, March 18, 2021.  The agenda includes discussion and consideration of Title 16 CCR Section 1747, related to HIV Prep and PEP, and proposed regulations related to pharmacy technician application, training requirements, and certification programs.

Also in California, The Board of Pharmacy adopted a final rule that modifies the Pharmacy Technician Application (Form 17A – 5) to add information regarding expedited licensure for applicants who meet certain criteria regarding their immigration status and military service. This change without regulatory effect was filed on February 8.

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services’ Education & Outreach team is surveying providers to learn more about how pharmacies currently conduct business for Medi-Cal Pharmacy Claims. The results of the Medi-Cal Rx Pharmacy Provider and Prescriber Readiness Survey will be used to tailor training offerings for Medi-Cal Rx to ensure pharmacies are prepared for the upcoming transition.

Also in California. Beginning March 15, healthcare providers may use their clinical judgment to vaccinate individuals age 16-64 who are deemed to be at high risk from COVID-19 as the direct result of certain conditions and settings:

  • Individuals with one or more severe health conditions
  • Individuals with developmental or other severe disabilities or illness
  • Individuals who live or work in a high risk congregate residential setting
  • Public transit workers

Healthcare providers should thoroughly read the California Department of Public Health’s Provider Bulletin, Fact Sheet, and COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Guidelines. Additional information is at California’s COVID-19 vaccine website here.

Also in California. Effective April 1, 2021, the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) fee will increase from $6 to $11 annually for two years for all the Board’s that prescribe, order, administer, furnish, or dispense Schedule II, Schedule III, Schedule IV, or Schedule V controlled substances. More information is available here.

Lastly in California, NACDS and the California Retailers Association submitted a joint letter to the Senate Business, Professions & Economic Development Committee in support of SB 409 with proposed amendments to include pharmacy technician testing authority as well as authority for pharmacists to initiate treatment according to the test result.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.