On January 30, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services recommended SB 1085 “do pass” with a vote of 6-1. This bill would authorize pharmacists to test and initiate treatment for conditions such as influenza, COVID, strep and other respiratory illnesses and to delegate the administrative and technical tasks of performing a test to a trained member of the pharmacy staff who is under the supervision of the pharmacist. It also prohibits a health insurer from denying reimbursement for any test, screening or treatment that is within the scope of the pharmacist’s license and would be covered, if otherwise performed by a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant.

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

This week, NACDS submitted a letter of support to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services for SB 1085, authorizing pharmacists to test and initiate treatment for conditions such as influenza, COVID, strep and other respiratory illnesses and to delegate the administrative and technical tasks of performing a test to a trained member of the pharmacy staff who is under the supervision of the pharmacist. It also prohibits a health insurer from denying reimbursement for any test, screening or treatment that is within the scope of the pharmacist’s license and would be covered, if otherwise performed by a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant. 

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

The Board of Pharmacy posted its January 2024 Newsletter. See the “Compliance Corner” for important, timely updates.

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

HB 2183 related to parental rights and medical records will be heard in the House Health & Human Service Committee on January 22 and is listed on the agenda. The bill entitles parents with the right to have access to any electronic portal or other health care delivery platform, including written medical records, for their minor child.  

Also in Arizona, SB 1085, legislation permitting pharmacists, pursuant to a statewide written protocol, to independently order, perform and interpret CLIA-waived tests and initiate treatment to individuals three years of age and older and who test positive for influenza, Group A streptococcus pharyngitis, SARS-COV2 or any other respiratory illness, condition or disease and a condition related to an emerging or existing public health threat identified by the Department of Health Service for which a standing order rule or executive order is issued, was introduced, read for the first time and assigned to the Senate Health & Human Services Committee. The bill also permits the pharmacist to delegate the administrative and technical tasks of performing a CLIA-waived test to a trained member of the pharmacy staff who is under the supervision of the pharmacist and states a health insurer may not deny reimbursement for these services performed within the scope of the pharmacist’s license and covered by the insurer if performed by a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistance. 

Also in Arizona, HB 2450, legislation adding a pharmacy technician trainee to requirements for work at a remote dispensing site pharmacy, has been introduced. 

Finally in Arizona, HB 2582, legislation permitting a pharmacist to enter into a collaborative practice agreement with a certified nurse midwife or physician assistant, was introduced, read for the first time and assigned to the House Health & Human Services Committee.  

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

The Board of Pharmacy issued a notice and agenda for a virtual task force/stakeholder meeting on December 20 at 10:00 am.

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

The Board of Pharmacy’s final rule to permanently authorize pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines under the delegation and supervision of a pharmacist was published in the Arizona Administrative Register, Volume 29, Issue 38 (see pages 2191-2195) with an effective date of September 6, 2023.

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

Last week, the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council (GRRC) held a Study Session that included pharmacy technician rules to permanently authorize pharmacy technician to administer vaccines under the delegation and supervision of a pharmacist. This week, at its September 6 meeting, the GRRC approved the rules. The rules take immediate effect.

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

This week, the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council (GRRC) held a Study Session that included pharmacy technician rules to permanently authorize pharmacy technician to administer vaccines under the delegation and supervision of a pharmacist. The GRRC will hold a meeting on September 6 where they will vote on the rules package.

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

The Board of Pharmacy posted a notice announcing “[t]he online renewal cycle will begin on September 5, 2023, at 00:01 MST and end on November 1, 2023, at 23:59 MST. Renewals submitted after November 1, 2023, are subject to a late renewal penalty. You may renew it by logging into your online profile. Please note: A person shall not apply for a license renewal more than sixty days before the expiration date of the license.”

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