Effective July 15, 2023, there is no longer a requirement for facilities or pharmacies to submit an application for changes to ownership, location or names.

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

HB 112, signed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R), requires that Out-of-State Pharmacies be licensed rather than registered by June 30, 2024. 

• If an Out-of-State Pharmacy is currently registered, it will not need to do anything until renewal time, which is scheduled for June 2024.  
• If an Out-of-State Pharmacy is not currently registered, they will need to apply to be licensed rather than registered beginning November 27, 2023. 
• All Internet-based/Online Pharmacies will fall under the same statutory and regulatory requirements as Out-of-State Pharmacies if they want to provide pharmacy services. 
• Beginning November 27, 2023, all licensed Out-of-State Pharmacies must also have a Pharmacist-in-Charge that holds an active Alaska Pharmacist license. Out-of-State Pharmacies that are currently registered and will renew in June 2024 must have a Pharmacist-in-Charge that holds an active Alaska Pharmacist license at renewal time. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Legislature adjourned on May 17. On the last day, legislation promoted by the Alaska Pharmacists Association (AKPhA), CS HB 112 by pharmacist Rep. Justin Ruffridge (R), passed. The bill streamlines the pharmacy practice statutes, including provisions to increase access to epinephrine auto-injectors and medication delivery devices for anaphylaxis emergencies.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Board of Pharmacy issued Proposed Regulations relating to classifications of licensure, registration, application, license and registration renewal, notification process for changes in name, ownership or physical address of pharmacies, pharmacist-in-charge, pharmacist interns, job shadowing, security, remote pharmacy, return or exchange of drugs, automated distribution kiosks, remodeling, designated representative, drug recalls, facilities, prescription drug monitoring program, and definitions. Written comments deadline is 4:30 p.m. on April 24.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Board of Pharmacy met on February 17 and 18.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Board of Pharmacy adopted the following changes to proposed rules (Regulation project amending sections 12 AAC 52.020 through 12 AAC 52.990). These regulations will take effect on December 28. 

Pharmacists 

Removal of the transcript requirement  

Delegation of examination eligibility approval to the NABP 

Authorizes a pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) to serve as a PIC for more than one pharmacy upon a written request to the board 

Allows the official License Transfer Application to also serve as a license verification from the reciprocating state 

Removes requirement to submit separate verifications of licensure for reciprocity applicants 

Clarifies patient counseling requirements 

Interns 

Expands the criteria to qualify for an internship license by recognizing recent graduates 

Extends the duration of the license from two years to five years 

Replaces the 1,500 hours education requirement for pharmacist licensure with standardized language  

Removes the affidavit of moral character requirement 

Technicians 

Clarifies pharmacy technician duties 

Removes language relating to on-the-job training for the preparation of sterile pharmaceuticals  

Pharmacies 

Replaces the requirement for pharmacies located outside of the state to submit a certified true copy of the home jurisdiction license with a simple copy 

Replaces the inspection report requirement with an attestation that an inspection will be completed 

Facilities 

Removes the fingerprint and resume requirements for wholesale drug distributors, outsourcing facilities and third-party logistics providers 

For wholesale drug distributors, requires a copy of the home jurisdiction license only if the state requires licensure as a wholesale drug distributor 

Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) 

Adopts by reference the PDMP data dispenser submission guide 

Recognizes 3rd party reporting vendors 

Defines “appropriate identifier” as the provider’s/pharmacist’s license number 

Clarifies that a provider/pharmacist must submit a zero report when no scheduled II – IV controlled substances are dispensed 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Board of Pharmacy’s statutes and regulations booklet has been updated to reflect sections 1 – 10 of HB 145, the new pharmacist and pharmacy technicians expanded practice law passed this year. The October 2022 booklet reflects these changes to AS 08.80: 

• Permits pharmacists to engage in independent monitoring of drug therapy; 
• Clarifies pharmacists can independently prescribe and administer vaccines, related emergency medications, and opioid overdose drugs; 
• Permits pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines or related emergency medications, if approved by the board; 
• Requires interns and technicians to disclose prescription drug prices;  
• Permits pharmacists to provide patient care services outside of a collaborative practice agreement with a physician for general health and wellness, disease prevention and certain conditions, including conditions that involve CLIA-waived tests; 
• Removes dosage form from equivalent drug product and 
• Updates the definition of “practice of pharmacy” 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Board of Pharmacy’s upcoming meeting will be held on September 22nd – 23rd via Zoom. A public copy of the board packet will be available on the meetings page soon: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardofPharmacy/BoardMeetings.aspx  

Day 1 – Sep 22 

Dial: +871 6050 7807,,074861#  

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMscemtrjwiGtP4XtYOfDDhb7SvvHQcL5xa 

Agenda: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/Portals/5/pub/PHAagenda_2022_09_Day1.pdf  

Day 2 – Sep 23 

Dial: +839 3607 3617,,960860# 

Registration:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckdO-oqTgsG9OKqbjnmAn0HWtv8gClqFja 

Agenda: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/Portals/5/pub/PHAagenda_2022_09_Day2.pdf  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) signed into law HB (House Bill) 145 which recognizes pharmacists as prescribers and mandates payment parity reimbursement for pharmacy services. The bill also broadens collaborative practice agreements, allows pharmacists to independently prescribe and dispense vaccines, and allows pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines and emergency medications. It will go into effect on September 28, 2022.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.