Effective September 21, the pharmacy technician–to–pharmacist ratio increased from 3:1 to 4:1. The Board of Pharmacy still has a mechanism in place for pharmacies to request a waiver from the Board for additional technicians by providing a utilization plan.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Montana Board of Pharmacy approved rules to increase the pharmacy technician to pharmacist ratio from 3:1 to 4:1 with anticipated implementation in September 2019. The rules will continue to allow pharmacies to request a waiver above the new 4:1 ratio.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Gov. Steve Bullock (D) signed HB 231, expanding immunization services provided by pharmacists to include the administration of vaccines to individuals seven years of age and older as provided by the most recent guidelines by vaccine and age group as published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and under collaborative practice agreements.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Gov. Steve Bullock (D) signed into law HB 86 (Chapter Number 89) which requires a positive ID for controlled substances not dispensed directly to the patient with exceptions and recordkeeping requirements; a 7-day prescription limit on opioids to an opioid naïve patient; and mandatory use of the prescription drug registry by a prescriber or an agent of the prescriber prior to issuing a prescription for an opioid or a benzodiazepine with exceptions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
SB 322, legislation creating a $5 million endorsement fee and endorsement license on wholesalers distributing opioids into the state, has failed to gain a majority vote in committee and failed an attempt to pull the bill directly to the floor. The bill is now considered dead for the 2019 Legislative Session.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
HB 231, legislation expanding pharmacist’s administration of vaccines to those seven years of age and older for all CDC-recommended vaccines, passed the House 64-29. The bill has been referred to the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Safety and scheduled for a hearing on Monday, March 11.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
HB 231, legislation expanding vaccinations provided by pharmacists down to seven years of age, has passed out of the House Human Services Committee.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
NACDS presented before the Board of Pharmacy requesting elimination of the current 3:1 pharmacy technician-to-pharmacist ratio and expansion of pharmacy technicians’ duties. The Board agreed to eliminate interns from the current 3:1 ratio. Further consideration of pharmacy technician issues will take place at a future Board meeting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.