Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) released California’s COVID-19 Vaccine Action Plan outlining the following priorities given the potential of both the approval of boosters and the eligibility of children under the age of 12 years.

  1. Vaccinate those that are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated while closing the equity gaps;
  2. Ensure enough capacity to administer booster shots; and
  3. Vaccinate children under age 12 [years] as they become eligible.

Also in California, due to the Fawn Fire, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) declared a state of emergency on September 27 in Shasta County.  The Board of Pharmacy issued an alert reminding pharmacies and pharmacists of provisions in Business and Professions Code section 4062(b) and section 4064 to help provide prescriptions for displaced residents. The Board’s formal policy for filling prescriptions during an emergency is available in its Board Policy Statement: Disaster Response.

Also in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed Executive Order N-16-21 extending the telehealth services expansion.  This Executive Order also extends the previous order’s provisions related to relaxing certain state and security laws for medical providers.

Also in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom(D) signed several bills related to workers and working conditions, including SB 362, legislation sponsored by the United Food and Commercial Workers and the California Pharmacists Association, that prohibits chain community pharmacies (75 or more stores under one ownership in California) from establishing pharmacy quotas as defined in the bill with certain exceptions.

Also in California, the Department of Public Health recently released the COVID-19 vaccine State Public Health Officer Order with an effective date of November 30.  Please note the August 5, 2021, State Public Health Officer Order still applies, and facilities must be in full compliance with this order by September 30.

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy is currently accepting written comments on the following proposed regulations.

Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy distributed the September 2021 issue of its newsletter, “The Script”.  Highlights include the FAQs related to the e-prescribing requirement effective January 1, 2022, and the new regulations for automated drug delivery systems.

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