The Board of Pharmacy held its monthly meeting on December 7. The agenda covered the following policies and updates: 

• Access to HIV Prevention Medications, including PEP and PrEP Protocols 
• Access to Birth Control by Making Certain Contraception Accessible from a Pharmacist 
• Authorize Vaccine Administration by Pharmacy Technicians and Reduce Vaccine Administration Training Requirements for Pharmacists 
• Licensure by Endorsement  
• Board Rule Chapter Amend Limits on Medication in Vending Machines 
• Pharmacists Dispense an Emergency Supply of Chronic Maintenance Drugs 
• Telehealth Rulemaking Status – Update 

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

The Board of Pharmacy updated its rulemaking for pharmacists to administer vaccines, consistent with Public Law 2023 Chapter 170. On October 6, 2023, the Board issued Written Statement #01-2023 indicating that the Board does not believe rulemaking is necessary before an appropriately licensed and ADV-certified pharmacist is permitted to administer vaccines consistent with the above-stated authorizations.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

The Maine legislative session just ended this week with two pharmacy bills left unfunded on the appropriations table, which means they will be reconsidered in the 2024 session. The two bills were LD 1558, a bill that would ban pharmacies from selling most tobacco products, and LD 275, a bill that would study the workplace treatment of pharmacists.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

On June 15, the Maine legislature approved LD 899, a bill that would authorize certified pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines under the direct supervision of a pharmacist and complete a certification program. Said certification program must be approved by the board and have at least six (6) hours of vaccine-related training that includes, at a minimum, training on the safe and effective administration of vaccines, hands-on injection technique, clinical evaluation of indications and contraindications of vaccines and the recognition and treatment of emergency reactions to vaccines and cardiovascular life support training. Lastly, the bill also clarifies the timing of when vaccine administration training requirements must be completed by pharmacists. The measure was approved with an emergency preamble and will be effective upon signing by the Governor.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

The agenda has been posted for the October 6th Board of Pharmacy meeting.

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

The Maine Board of Pharmacy has released its minutes from April and May meetings. The next Board meeting will be on August 4.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Last year, the legislature passed LD 8 which established a prescription drug take-back program in Maine for pharmacies. Pharmacies will have the choice of a secure collection kiosk or offering customers a voucher for a mail-back envelope to properly dispose of unused prescription medications. Drug manufacturers are due to submit a plan to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) by July 1, 2022.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

The Notice of Agency Rulemaking Proposal regarding Joint Rule Between the Maine Board of Pharmacy and Maine Board of Nursing on Collaborative Drug Therapy Management (CDT) has been posted to the Maine Board of Pharmacy website. The comment deadline is January 3, 2022, at 5:00 pm. EST. Written comments may be sent to Geraldine.L.Betts@maine.gov using the subject line: CDT Proposed Rule Comment.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

The Maine Board of Pharmacy released the minutes from its August 5 meeting.  The next zoom Board meeting will be October 7 at 8:30 am.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.