The Board of Pharmacy has proposed rules updating existing regulations on pharmacies, pharmacist interns, pharmacy technicians, wholesale drug distributors, outsourcing facilities, and third-party logistics providers. Written comments are due on June 13, 2022.  

Also in Alaska, legislation expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians was sent to Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) for his signature. HB (House Bill) 145 

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

Effective May 14, the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development amended regulations under 12 AAC 02 to reduce application, license, registration, and renewal fees for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, remote and other pharmacies, wholesale drug distributors, outsourcing facilities, and third-party logistics providers.

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

Effective May 14, the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development amended regulations under 12 AAC 02 to reduce application, license, registration, and renewal fees for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, remote and other pharmacies, wholesale drug distributors, outsourcing facilities, and third-party logistics providers.

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

New rules relating to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) go into effect on March 17, 2022. The regulations clarify the registration process to align with the account creation steps at alaska.pmpaware.net, replaces “registration” with “designation,” and establishes a new requirement for pharmacists and pharmacies to notify the board within 10 days of a change in dispensing/distributing status of controlled substances. The forms will be available in the coming weeks at pharmacy.alaska.gov.

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

The Board of Pharmacy proposed rules updating qualifications and for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacies, outsourcing facilities, wholesale drug distributors, and third-party logistics providers requirements to apply for an emergency permit and renewal application requirements. It also repeals the emergency courtesy license and establishes temporary courtesy licenses for an active-duty military member or their spouse.  

Also in Alaska, the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (CBPL) conducted a thorough fee analysis and is proposing a decrease in licensing fees for pharmacist, pharmacy technician, and certain pharmacy licenses.

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

The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development cut the initial registration and biennial renewal fees for the prescription drug monitoring program-controlled substance prescription database to $0 effective December 23, 2021.

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

As a result of federal funding available to the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (CBPL) to offset certain administrative costs of running the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), the Division is recommending decreasing the PDMP fee to zero. Written comments must be received not later than 4:30 p.m. on October 22, 2021, NACDS will not be commenting on this issue. Comments must be addressed to CBPL Regulations Specialist, PO Box 110806, Juneau, AK 99811 or regulationsandpubliccomment@alaska.gov.

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

The Department of Health and Social Services and the Alaska Pharmacists Association (AKPhA) have a four-question survey to understand chronic disease management practices in pharmacies operating in the state. Individuals who received continuing education credits from the AKPhA’s 55th Annual Convention & Tradeshow held earlier this year have already completed the survey.

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

HB 145, modernizing the pharmacy practice statutes, passed both the House Labor and Commerce Committee and the House Health and Social Services Committee earlier this year and will carry over and remain active for consideration as 2021-2022 continues next year.  The bill defines patient care activities pharmacists may provide and empowers the Board of Pharmacy to regulate those services; empowers the Board of Pharmacy to more effectively regulate pharmacy support staff; and supports reimbursement for health care services by defining those services and including pharmacists in the state’s provider anti-discrimination statute.

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