Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) announced that she will call a special session April 5th to address taxpayer relief from high gas prices and a spending bill that the Governor vetoed at the end of the regular session. 

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

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) announced February 17th that effective immediately, masks will no longer be required indoors, except for in hospitals, assisted living centers, certain health care settings, as well as in state correctional and juvenile justice facilities. 

Also in New Mexico, the Legislature adjourned the 30-day fiscal session on February 17th. 

Finally in New Mexico, to better combat the opioid crisis, legislators passed HB 52 which will decriminalize the possession of fentanyl test strips. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) has until March 9, 2022, to sign the bill into law. 

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

The Department of Health renewed the order requiring wearing masks indoors.

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

The New Mexico Board of Pharmacy rules now allow Certified Immunization Pharmacy Technicians to vaccinate ALL vaccines to anyone prescribed by their Supervising Pharmacist, effective November 30, 2021. 

Also in New Mexico, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) extended the Public Health Order requiring masks indoors in all public settings through January 7th, 2022.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-308-2103. 

North Carolina: The North Carolina Board of Pharmacy published proposed administrative rules concerning pharmacy interns. These rules can be found beginning on Page 1049 (PDF Page 57) of the North Carolina Register. 

The Board will hold a public hearing on these rules on February 8, 2022. The public hearing will be held remotely. The public can participate on Teams at https://tinyurl.com/jsuk4bjk or call 336-604-5350, conference ID 903 191 899#. The Board will accept written comments until February 14, 2022, and should be submitted to Jay Campbell, 6015 Farrington Road, Suite 201, Chapel Hill, NC 27517; fax (919) 246-1056; email ncboprulemaking@ncbop.org. 

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

Below are highlights from the September issue of the Board of Pharmacy newsletter. See the newsletter for additional details and more information.   

• HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis and Point-of-Care Testing:  Pharmacist prescriptive authority for the prescribing of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis therapy in conjunction with point-of-care testing was approved by the Board during its April 2021 meeting. Pharmacists who wish to obtain this prescriptive authority must go through Board-approved training and adhere to the Board-approved protocol.  
• Regulation Updates 
  • 16.19.4 NMAC – Medical cannabis 
  • 16.19.20 NMAC – Changes to the scheduling status of certain substances 
  • 16.19.30 NMAC – Changes to the compounding of nonsterile pharmaceuticals.  
  • 16.19.31 NMAC – Emergency Provisions adding a section outlining Board authority to authorize extensions for unavailable training or testing during a declared emergency. This includes pharmacist license under reciprocity, technician registration, or pharmacist prescriptive authority. 

• 2021 Law Update Schedule 

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

Below are highlights from the June issue of the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy newsletter. See the newsletter for additional details and more information.  

• As some prescribing practitioners are working to implement the electronic prescriptions for controlled substances requirement that was effective April 1, 2021, the Board issued an “Emergency Dispensing Declaration” from April 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021, and it does not intend to take action against a pharmacist who fills a nonelectronic controlled substance prescription not otherwise subject to the exceptions. 

• Effective June 18, 2021, a healthcare provider may provide a prescription for medical aid in dying to a terminally ill adult who is mentally competent after meeting certain requirements pursuant to HB 47, the Elizabeth Whitefield End-of-Life Options Act
• REMINDER: Be Sure to submit Adverse Drug Event reports to the Board within 15 days as required by regulation. 

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

The Board of Pharmacy amended regulations under 16.19.26 NMAC to establish standards for pharmacist prescribing of protocol formulary dangerous drugs and address prescribing of dangerous drugs in conjunction with point-of-care testing. The rule also revises the definition of “hormonal contraception drug therapy” to include formulary products delineated in the written contraception protocol, including emergency contraception. In addition, the rule clarifies requirements for reporting vaccine administration. The rule is effective May 31, 2021.

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

The Board of Pharmacy issued a proposed rule establishing standards for pharmacist prescribing of protocol formulary dangerous drugs and prescribing of dangerous drugs in conjunction with point-of-care testing. The rule also revises the definition of “hormonal contraception drug therapy” to include formulary products delineated in the written contraception protocol, including emergency contraception, and clarifies reporting of vaccine administration. The Board will hold a virtual hearing during their April 22-23 meeting.

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

The 60-day legislative session adjourned on March 20.

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