HB 4034, which was signed into law on March 23, includes several provisions of interest including allowing a pharmacy intern to transfer a drug containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine to a person 18 years of age or older without prescription; reporting of information regarding dispensing of biological products; clarifying the use of telepharmacy and permitting a pharmacist to delegate to a pharmacy technician final verification of prescribed drug and drug dosage, device, or product
Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy has adopted the following rules:
April 22, 2022, Temporary Rules Noticed Pursuant to 2022 HB 4034 (Signed by Gov. Kate Brown (D) on March 23, 2022) – Effective April 22, 2022 through October 18, 2022
- Divisions 006/019/025/041 – related to Certified Oregon Pharmacy and Technician/Pharmacy Technician Final Verification - defines “final verification”, amends “General Responsibilities of a Pharmacist” and adds Pharmacy Technician after Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician.
- Division 041 – related to Telework – adds or/and Pharmacy Technician after Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician and adds configuration and records requirements for telework.
- Division 080 – related to Pseudoephedrine/Ephedrine & Interns – adds “intern” so that an intern may transfer a drug containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine.
- Division 139 – related to RDSP [Remote Dispensing Site Pharmacy] – amends certain requirements.
The Board also permanently adopted the following rules – effective April 20, 2022 – at the April 2022 Board Meeting:
- Divisions 006/041/139 – related to Definitions – amends “supervision by a pharmacist” related to telework situations and moves some definitions in Division 041/139 to Division 006.
- Division 020 – related to COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test Protocol – adds “COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test Protocol” into the “Protocol Compendium”.
- Divisions 020/041/065/139 related to Alarm, Audiovisual Communication, Entry & Surveillance Systems – updates and defines terms.
- Divisions 021/025/110 – related to Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician & Pharmacy Technician Licensure – amends pharmacy technician and certified Oregon pharmacy technician licensure rules, including application and renewal or reinstatement requirements, license fees and continuing education.
- Division 041 – related to Disclosure of Patient Information – amends prohibited practices related to disclosure of patient information, including accessing or obtaining patient information unless it is for the purpose of patient care.
- Division 041/139 – related to Accurate Pharmacy Hours & Temporary Pharmacy Closures – requires pharmacies to post accurate hours of operation and updates due to a temporary or permanent closure.
- Division 080 – related to Schedule I Exceptions – related to marijuana, THC and Cannabis family Cannabaceae.
- Division 143 – related to Pharmacy Prescription Lockers (PPLs) – establishes a new drug outlet type (“Pharmacy Prescription Lockers (PPLs)”) and permits a pharmacy to operate a PPL.
Finally in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority issued a temporary rule, effective April 27, 2022, through June 25, 2022, amending prior authorization approval criteria guide effective May 1, 2022. These amendments are based upon Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) Committee recommendations on April 7.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.