The Board of Pharmacy is sponsoring a training program, “Inspection Expectations, Diversion Trends, Loss Prevention, Legal Updates and CURES,” on March 5 via WebEx. Pharmacists who participate will receive six hours of continuing education (CE) credit. The event is free, but space is limited and preregistration is required. The board has transitioned its registration and CE certification to its new learning management system PharmEd. To register for the event, you will need to create an account in PharmEd if you do not already have one. Training attendees who do not use PharmEd will not be given CE credit.

For information on how to register for the event, visit the Board’s website, scroll down to “Information for Licensees,” and click on “Free CE Training Registration”.

For questions about the event, email the Board.

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy provided a sample “How to File a Complaint” notice to assist licensees in complying with Business and Professions Code section 4113.6(c). Pursuant to this section, A chain community pharmacy is required to post, in a location determined by the business to be prominent and accessible to pharmacy personnel, a notice that provides information on how to file a complaint with the Board. This notice is intended for pharmacy personnel and not for consumers. Pharmacies may use the sample notice provided by the Board or develop their own notice and determine an appropriate posting location that is prominent and accessible, if the notice complies with the requirements outlined in the Pharmacy Lawbook under Business and Professions Code Staffing requirements for chain community pharmacy section 4113.6(c).

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

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Pharmacy proposed adding Title 16 CCR § 1717.11, related to Remote Processing.   

• Notice of Proposed Action 

• Initial Statement of Reasons 

• Proposed Text 

Any person who wishes to comment on the proposed text may do so by submitting written comments beginning January 9 and ending on February 24 to the following: 

Contact Person: Debbie Damoth
Agency Name: California State Board of Pharmacy
Address: 2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Ste 100 Sacramento, CA 95833
Email: PharmacyRulemaking@dca.ca.gov
Fax: (916) 574-8618 

 Any responses to comments directly concerning the proposed addition of the text of the regulation will be considered and responded to in the Final Statement of Reasons. 

Please send your comments on the proposed text to Sandra Guckian by close of business on February 9.  

Also in California, as part of the Board's actions during the January 26-27 Board meeting, the Board approved a policy statement related to Pharmacy Intern Hours Earned Outside of Formal Experiential Training. The Pharmacy wishes to provide licensees with information on its policy related to this transition.  

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy issued the following information regarding "Corresponding Responsibility Considerations for Dispensing Buprenorphine". 

State and Federal law establish that pharmacists share a corresponding responsibility with prescribers to ensure controlled substances are dispensed solely for a legitimate medical purpose and within the bounds of professional practice. Because buprenorphine is most often prescribed for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD), its therapeutic intent should be a key part of the pharmacist's evaluation. Pharmacists are legally required to verify the legitimacy of the prescriber and the appropriateness of the prescription. This assessment should reflect buprenorphine's established role in preventing withdrawal, reducing cravings, supporting long-term recovery and lowering rates of overdose, emergency department visits, hospitalizations and death.

Research consistently shows that access to buprenorphine is protective. Given the clinically significant distinctions in buprenorphine's use, pharmacists are obligated to balance vigilance for potential concerns with an understanding that delaying or denying buprenorphine can expose patients with OUD to serious harm. 

Pharmacists should also be aware that commonly cited indicators of potentially fraudulent controlled substance prescriptions do not always translate well to buprenorphine used for OUD treatment. Long travel distances, telehealth prescribing, cash payment, early refills or use of multiple pharmacies often reflect limited availability of prescribers or pharmacies, particularly in rural or underserved areas, rather than misuse or diversion. Because interruptions in buprenorphine therapy can increase the risk of relapse and overdose, pharmacists are encouraged to take these access challenges into account, communicate with prescribers when questions arise and support continuity of care when prescriptions are determined to be legitimate. 

Additional resources are available to assist pharmacists in identifying practice considerations, including "The Pharmacy Access to Resources and Medication
for Opioid Use Disorder (PhARM-OUD) Guideline, A Joint Consensus Practice Guideline from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and the National Community Pharmacists Association." 

Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Service posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:  

• Upcoming Pharmacy Professional Dispensing Fee Provider Self-Attestation 

• Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for February 

• User Administration Console (UAC) Registration – Next Steps 

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

The state has been awarded $233.6 million for Federal Fiscal Year 2026 through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program to support rural and frontier communities across the state. Through this funding, the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) and its partners will begin implementing a shared vision of a connected and resilient rural health system where rural and frontier Californians can access timely, person-centered care closer to home.  

Recently HCAI posted the project narrative (Revised 12/12/2025) providing additional insights into the state's plans. To learn more about the program, visit the RHTP webpage. For questions contact, CalRHT@hcai.ca.gov.  

Please register for the Rural Health Listserv to ensure you receive updates. 

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Service posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: 

• Reminder: Requirement for Provider Enrollment in Medi-Cal 

• Temporary VFC Reimbursement Rate Changes in Case of VFC Vaccine Supply Shortages 

• Vaccines For Children Program: Medi-Cal Reference Guide 

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted a corrected version of the Special Edition of The Script newsletter . This January 2026 issue is dedicated to Assembly Bill 1503, the Sunset Measure for the California State Board of Pharmacy. This Special Edition focuses on: 

• Standard of Care 

• Nonresident Pharmacies 

• Inspection of Nonresident Pharmacies 

• Establishing Pharmacy Technician Advisory Committee 

• Self-Assessment Process  

• Define Pharmacy Technician Trainee 

• Define Pharmacist 

• Title Change to Advanced Pharmacist Practitioners 

• Enforcing Pharmacy Law 

• Pharmacist-in-Charge, Staffing 

• COVID-19 Oral Therapeutics 

• Emergency Refill Provisions 

• Pharmacy Records and Digital Conversion 

• Ownership Prohibition 

• Reporting to CAMER 

• Chain Community Pharmacy Employee Notice 

• Pharmacy Technician Duties 

• High Risk Patients 

• Retired Pharmacists License 

• Mail Order Pharmacies 

• Fees: Medically Underserved Area 

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

The Department of Health Care Service posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please review the numerous changes to Medi-Cal Rx effective January 1, 2026. 

• Reminder: Include ICD-10-CM Diagnoses Codes on Pharmacy Claims 

• Changes to Medi-Cal Rx, Effective January 1, 2026  

• Upcoming Pharmacy Professional Dispensing Fee Provider Self-Attestation 

• Restricted Pharmacy Benefit Coverage for Emergency and/or Pregnancy-Related Services for Select Medi-Cal Aid Codes, Effective January 1, 2026 

• Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for January 

• State of Emergency Override Activation: Submission Clarification Code 13 

• Mass Adjustment for Vaccines Reimbursement for Members 19 Years of Age and Older for Impacted Claims with a Date of Service January 1, 2024, through March 31, 2024 

• Mass Adjustment for Enteral Nutrition Products for Impacted Claims Reprocessed on May 29, 2024 

• Restricted Pharmacy Benefit Coverage for Emergency and/or Pregnancy-Related Services for Select Medi-Cal Aid Codes, Effective January 1, 2026 

• GLP-1 Coverage Considerations 

• Update: Medi-Cal Rx Physician Administered Drug Temporary Policy Reinstatement 

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy published a Special Edition of The Script newsletter  dedicated to AB 1503, the Sunset Measure for the Board of Pharmacy. This Special Edition focuses on: 

• Standard of Care 

• Nonresident Pharmacies 

• Inspection of Nonresident Pharmacies 

• Establishing Pharmacy Technician Advisory Committee 

• Self-Assessment Process  

• Define Pharmacy Technician Trainee 

• Define Pharmacist 

• Title Change to Advanced Pharmacist Practitioners 

• Enforcing Pharmacy Law 

• Pharmacist-in-Charge, Staffing 

• COVID-19 Oral Therapeutics 

• Emergency Refill Provisions 

• Dispensing Hormone Therapy 

• Pharmacy Records and Digital Conversion 

• Ownership Prohibition 

• Reporting to CAMER 

• Chain Community Pharmacy Employee Notice 

• Pharmacy Technician Duties 

• High Risk Patients 

• Retired Pharmacists License 

• Mail Order Pharmacies 

• Fees: Medically Underserved Area 

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy issued a notice to licensees to renew registration with the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) for the California Medication Error Reporting (CAMER) System by January 31. Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 4113.1 establishes requirements for a community pharmacy to report medication errors to an entity approved by the Board. 

Finally in California, the Department of Managed Health Care issued All Plan Letter RE: APL 25-020 (OPL [Office of Plan Licensing]) – Newly Enacted Statutes Impacting Health Plans (2025 Legislative Session). Please review information related to AB 116 and SB 41, PBM reforms enacted in 2025. 

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

On December 29, 2025, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) became aware of a preliminary injunction issued by the US District Court in Maine blocking the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) from implementing the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program, which was set to begin on January 1, 2026, pending further legal action. The preliminary injunction applies to the implementation of the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program in the state. In light of the issuance of the preliminary injunction, DHCS will not implement the policy guidance previously provided specific to the drugs that are part of the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program until further notice. Accordingly, providers should continue submitting Medi-Cal Rx and medical claims, as applicable, consistent with all existing Medi-Cal 340B billing policies.

Also in California, required system upgrades to the Medicaid Management Information System (CA-MMIS) are scheduled to take place on January 11. The upgrade may go into an extended maintenance period, which begins at midnight on January 11 and may continue through 10:00 am on January 11. During the extended window, the Medi-Cal Point of Service (POS), Automated Eligibility Verification System (AEVS), Leased Line vendors, Case Management Information and Payrolling System (CMIPS) and certain Transactions Services on the Medi-Cal Providers website applications may experience intermittent issues.

Also in California, as announced last year, CalRx partnered with Civica to make insulin more affordable and accessible statewide. Beginning January 1, 2026, CalRx/Civica Insulin Glargine pens will be available to California pharmacies at a cost of $45 per 5-pack of 3 mL pens, with a suggested maximum retail price of no more than $55 for consumers. To help patients locate pharmacies that plan to carry CalRx insulin, CalRx intends to publicly post participating pharmacy locations; see CalRx Pharmacy Survey to provide input. For more information, see resources listed below. For additional questions, please contact CalRx (info@calrx.ca.gov) or Civica (insulinquestions@civicarx.org).

• Pharmacy Fact Sheet (key details about the product, ordering and distribution)
• CalRx® Insulin Glargine Patient Flyer(this is a pdf file)
• CalRx® Insulin Glargine Patient FAQs(this is a pdf file)
• CalRx® Biosimilar Insulin Fact Sheet: English(this is a pdf file), Chinese-Simplified(this is a pdf file), Chinese-Traditional(this is a pdf file), Korean(this is a pdf file), Spanish(this is a pdf file), Tagalog(this is a pdf file), Vietnamese(this is a pdf file)
• Biosimilar Insulin Agreement with Civica Foundation(this is a pdf file)
• Biosimilar Insulin Agreement with Civica Foundation Amendment 1(this is a pdf file)

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy published its Board of Pharmacy News Roundup (January 2026). Please review the news in its entirety for important updates and information.

Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy seeks to remind affected licensees about Proposition 34, a ballot initiative that was approved by the voters in November 2024. Proposition 34 added the Protect Patients Now Act of 2024 (Act) to the Welfare and Institutions Code (see sections 14124.39-14124.52). Among its provisions, the Act establishes requirements for a “Prescription Drug Price Manipulator” (as defined in subdivision (l) of WIC section 14124.48) to report specified information to certain agencies, including the Board, by no later than April 30, 2026. Public comments related to the Act, and information relating to entities that qualify as Prescription Drug Price Manipulators, may be submitted to Prop34@dca.ca.gov.

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

The Board of Pharmacy seeks to remind affected licensees about Proposition 34, a ballot initiative that was approved by the voters in November 2024. Proposition 34 added the Protect Patients Now Act of 2024 (Act) to the Welfare and Institutions Code (see sections 14124.39-14124.52). Among its provisions, the Act establishes requirements for a “Prescription Drug Price Manipulator” (as defined in subdivision (l) of WIC section 14124.48) to report specified information to certain agencies, including the Board, by no later than December 31, 2025.

Additional information about Proposition 34 is available online.

Public comments related to the Act, and information relating to entities that qualify as Prescription Drug Price Manipulators, may be submitted to Prop34@dca.ca.gov.

Also in California, pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 11161.7(b), the Board of Pharmacy is distributing an October 22, 2025 list of prescribers whose authority to prescribe controlled substances has been restricted by the Medical Board of California. The Board of Pharmacy is making this information available to prevent the dispensing of prescriptions for controlled substances issued by restricted prescribers.

Also in California, NOTICE IS HEREBY given that the Board of Pharmacy (Board) will hold a hearing to receive public comments on a petition received related to Title 16, California Code of Regulations, Section 1709.1, Designation of Pharmacist-in-Charge.

The public hearing will be held on January 6, 2026, beginning at 9:00 am in the first floor Hearing Room of the California State Board of Pharmacy, located at 2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Sacramento, CA 95833. Additionally, attendees may participate via the WebEx meeting platform. To participate via WebEx, please use the following link: WebEx Link or https://dca-meetings.webex.com/dca-meetings/j.php?MTID=m1240449cdb3802fe4e363f663d60bb6e

If joining using the link above

Webinar number: 2491 140 0958

Webinar password: CSBP16

If joining by phone

+1-415-655-0001 US Toll

Access code: 2491 140 0958

Passcode: 272716

To view and download the hearing materials, please visit the following link: Laws and Regulations or https://pharmacy.ca.gov/laws_regs/index.shtml, and click on Hearing or https://pharmacy.ca.gov/laws_regs/hearing.shtml.

Written comments may be submitted to PharmacyRulemaking@dca.ca.gov or to the California State Board of Pharmacy, located at 2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Sacramento, CA 95833. Written comments will be accepted through January 6, 2026. The public will also be able to provide public comment when prompted during the hearing.

Requests for further information should be directed to the Board at (916) 518-3090 or PharmacyRulemaking@dca.ca.gov, or by writing to the California State Board of Pharmacy, located at 2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Sacramento, CA 95833.

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy, Board of Registered Nursing, Physician Assistant Board, Medical Board of California, Osteopathic Medical Board of California and Dental Board of California licensees can now register to attend the joint forum. Spots are limited, register today at https://www.dca.ca.gov/jointforum/register.shtml.

Healthcare practitioners involved in prescribing or dispensing medications are invited to a forum on December 17 at California State University, Sacramento, focusing on clinical and practical challenges practitioners and patients face in accessing medications for opioid use disorder and other controlled substances used to manage pain. This is a virtual and in-person event.

Topics to be addressed include:

• Legal and regulatory requirements governing controlled substances.
• Communication and collaboration between prescribers and dispensers.
• Reducing stigma and barriers to care for patients with chronic pain or substance use disorder.

EVENT DETAILS

• Date: Wednesday, December 17
• Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Location: California State University, Sacramento

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Register today at https://www.dca.ca.gov/jointforum/register.shtml. Attendance is capped at 32 in-person participants per Board and 83 virtual participants per Board. Further event details will be provided after registering. Please note that this event is not open to the general public.

WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO: Visit https://www.dca.ca.gov/jointforum for updates.

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Service posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please review the numerous upcoming changes to Medi-Cal Rx.

• 30-Day Countdown: Upcoming Changes to Medi-Cal Rx
• Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for December

Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following:

• November 2025 Pharmacy Medi-Cal Update Bulletin
• November 2025 Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Services Medi-Cal Update Bulletin

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

The Department of Health Care Service posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note the update on GLP-1 coverage effective January 1, 2026; see details below in the alert. 

• Updates to the Medi-Cal Rx Physician Administered Drug Policy 

• GLP-1 Coverage Considerations 

Also in California, as part of the Board's actions during the November 5-6 Board Meeting, the Board approved a policy statement related to the transition to a Standard of Care Practice Model for some pharmacist-provided health care services. Specifically, under provisions of Assembly Bill (AB) 1503 (Berman, Chapter 196, Statutes of 2025), certain pharmacist-provided patient care services are transitioning to a standard of care practice model. 

Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy approved a policy statement related to the role of the Pharmacist-in-Charge (PIC). Specifically, under AB 1503, new provisions reinforce the decision-making autonomy of the PIC related to staffing decisions. 

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

The Department of Health Care Service posted the following on the Medi–Cal Rx Web Portal: Mass Adjustment for Member Eligibility Data That Impacted Claim Funding for Claims Submitted March 10, 2022, through October 5, 2025. 

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

he Board of Pharmacy distributed its monthly News Roundup for November. This issue includes important information related to vaccines, albuterol and epinephrine standing orders for schools, the California Medication Error Reporting (CAMER), drug theft/drug loss online portal and PIC training webinar. 

Also in California, the November 2025 issue of the Board of Pharmacy's newsletter, The Script, is now published online. The November 2025 newsletter includes information on: 

• New Laws 

• Regulations 

• Immunization Alert 

• Importance of Patient Consent Forms 

• CAMER 

• Inspection Results 

• Citations Issued 

• Technology the Pharmacist's Role in Medication Safety 

• Standing Orders for Schools Regarding Albuterol and Epinephrine 

• Well-Being Index 

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy sent the following reminder to licensees.  

Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 4113.1 establishes requirements for a community pharmacy to report medication errors known as CAMER to an entity approved by the Board. The statute requiring medication error reporting by community pharmacies can be viewed at BPC section 4113.1. The Board approved the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), an ECRI Company, as the entity to receive and review medication error reports under BPC section 4113.1. Information regarding CAMER registration can be found at https://mederrors.ismp.org/.  

The Board reminds community pharmacy licensees that medication errors that occur on or after September 1, 2025, must be reported to the CAMER system consistent with legal requirements established.  

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Service posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: 

• Mass Adjustment for Vaccines For Children Reimbursement for Impacted Claims with a Date of Service January 1, 2024, through May 16, 2025 

• 60-Day Countdown: Upcoming Changes to Medi-Cal Rx 

• Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulleting for November 

• Updates to the Medi-Cal Rx Physician Administered Drug Policy

Finally in California, pursuant to the announced pharmacy benefit policy changes effective January 1, 2026, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) mailed letters to Medi-Cal members to notify them of two upcoming changes:  

• All Medi-Cal members received a letter concerning the exclusion of coverage for GLP-1 medications for weight-loss indications. 

• Impacted Medi-Cal members received a letter concerning the need for prior authorization (PA) approval for select medications previously filled without a PA request. 

 Both letters provide members with information about the policy change and guidance concerning potential actions the member may take. 

Questions may be submitted to the Pharmacy Benefits Division at Medi-Cal.PharmacyBenefits@dhcs.ca.gov or to the Medi-Cal Rx Education and Outreach team at Medicalrxeducationoutreach@primetherapeutics.com 

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