The Board of Pharmacy has released a couple of final rules regarding pharmacist test and treat certification and pharmacists/laboratory tests. Summaries for the rules are below with links to access each.

• Final rule to adopt regulations under FAC 64B16-31 to establish standards for collaborative practice and test and treat certifications. The rule specifies that licensees are not required to complete the three-hour continuing education related to minor, nonchronic health conditions if the initial certificate was issued fewer than 12 months prior to the expiration date of the license. The rule is effective Nov. 22, 2020.

• Final rule to repeal regulations under FAC 64B16-27 regarding ordering and evaluation of laboratory tests. The rule is effective Nov. 25, 2020.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Florida Board of Pharmacy released a notice of intention to amend regulations under FAC 64B16-28 to revise standards regarding the required content of labels and labeling of medicinal drugs. Comment due date is not specified.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Board of Pharmacy published a final rule that amends regulations under FAC 64B16-27 to clarify requirements for pharmacist supervision of pharmacy technicians. The rule is effective on November 3, 2020.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Board of Pharmacy released a proposed rule to repeal regulations under FAC 64B16-27 regarding ordering and evaluation of laboratory tests. Comments and hearing requests are due on October 28, 2020.

Also in Florida. The Board of Pharmacy released a final rule to adopt regulations under FAC 64B16-31 to establish standards for the collaborative practice certification and the test and treat certification. The rule addresses initial certification courses, agreement, and written protocol standards, formulary of medicinal drugs, patient records, follow-up care, and continuing education. The rule is effective on October 28, 2020.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Board of Pharmacy issued a notice announcing Emergency Order DOH No. 20-014 that allows licensed pharmacists and registered pharmacy interns to order and administer vaccinations approved by the FDA and in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) immunization schedules to adults and children under 18 years, in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The order also specifies that pharmacists are required to report all patient vaccination details to Florida SHOTS.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Board of Pharmacy has issued a notice announcing a change to a July 27 proposed rule that would amend regulations under FAC 64B16-27 to clarify standards for the supervision of pharmacy technicians, including supervising pharmacist responsibilities and requirements for delegation. The change clarifies language regarding the prohibition on interfering with the supervising pharmacist’s independent professional judgment.

Also in Florida. The Board of Pharmacy has issued a proposed rule that would adopt regulations under FAC 64B16-31 to clarify standards for collaborative practice and test and treat certifications. The rule would specify that licensees are not required to complete the three-hour continuing education related to minor, nonchronic health conditions if the initial certificate was issued fewer than 12 months before the expiration date of the license. Comments and hearing requests are due on October 14, 2020.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Florida Department of Health; 850-488-0595; claudia.kemp2@flhealth.gov
has issued a notice to announce the intention of the Board of Medicine to amend regulations under FAC 64B8-13 to add an additional entity as a provider for continuing education for prescribing controlled substances.  A comment due date has not been specified.

Also in Florida, The Agency for Health Care Administration has posted a proposed rule to amend regulations under FAC 59G-4 to incorporate by reference the 2020 Florida Medicaid fee schedules and billing codes. A hearing is scheduled for September 22, 2020, via webinar. Comments are due September 18, 2020.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Florida Department of Health announced a notice of change to a May 15th proposed rule that would adopt regulations under FAC 64B-3 to provide a form and procedure to request a waiver of electronic prescribing requirements for prescribers facing economic hardship or technological limitations. The changes revise the form to require the location of the waiver site, a detailed description of the need for the waiver, a description of the practitioner’s current electronic prescribing capabilities, and the expected date the practitioner will be fully operational.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.