Two companion bills that would allow pharmacists to test and treat under a statewide Board of Pharmacy protocol have advanced in their respective chambers. HB 2274 is poised for a vote on the House floor and SB 948 passed the Senate unanimously. The bills add the authority for pharmacists to test and treat for Flu, Strep, COVID and UTIs to the existing ten conditions/therapies that pharmacist can currently treat. However, opposition from the medical community to the UTI provision drove 10 negative votes in the House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee, with the bill just squeaking out of committee with 11 favorable votes. NACDS has been working closely with in-state partners and members to advance these practice advancements over the last several sessions and issued an RxImpact Alert this week encouraging outreach to House members prior to the upcoming floor vote.
Also in Virginia, the Board of Pharmacy published a reminder that pharmacists must obtain at least two (2) hours of continuing education (CE) in 2023 on the following subjects related to opioids: medications for opioid use disorder (OUD), including methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, naloxone or any other drug indicated for OUD. The CE must be obtained between January 1 and December 31. Inquiries may be directed to pharmbd@dhp.virginia.gov
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.