The Board of Pharmacy published the following final rules:

• Pharmacist Duty to Report Requirements – Effective 3.1.2025.pdf
• Pharmacy Technician Duty to Report Requirements – Effective 3.1.2025.pdf
• Pharmacy Continuous Quality Improvement Programs for Dispensing Errors – Effective 3.1.2025.pdf
• Pharmacy Duty to Report Requirements – Effective 3.1.2025.pdf

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Board of Pharmacy issued draft rules to implement SB 144, the new pharmacy immunization expansion law that passed in July. We have reviewed the rule and found no issues or concerns and intend to file a letter of support. However, if members have any concerns or comments, please share them with Jill McCormack by September 13.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Effective August 12, 2024, OAC 4729:5-2-05 requires all outpatient pharmacies located in Ohio to submit notification to the Board of Pharmacy of the types of language translation services, hearing impairment services and vision impairment services they offer patients using the Board’s accessible services reporting webpage. Pharmacies are required to use this webpage to notify the Board of these accessible services. NOTE: The website (www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/ASreport) will go live on August 12, 2024; however, the requirement to submit notification of accessible services does not take effect until November 10, 2024. Chains can bulk report for all their locations but can only make changes moving forward by individual locations. The Board will issue a notification about the program to pharmacies on August 12. For now, only draft guidance is available.

Also in Ohio, the Department of Health is working with Innovation Horizons, a health consulting organization, to build up programs for diabetes prevention and management by increasing the number of pharmacies providing National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)/ Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) services to their patients. To better gauge the resources needed and capacities for pharmacies in the state, they created a survey for pharmacies to complete. Pharmacies are encouraged to complete the survey, if appropriate, as it may lead to further opportunities for patient care.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed SB 144, our immunization expansion bill into law at the Ohio State Fair. Early in 2024, NACDS was on the ground in Columbus to help members and partners develop the strategy that made it one of the few bills to make it to the Governor’s desk during a remarkable politically tumultuous year in the Ohio House. Sponsored and expertly championed by Sen. Mark Romanchuk (R), in clear and concise language, the bill simply deleted the age, vaccine-type and prescription restrictions and replaced it with a provision permitting pharmacists and technicians to administer “a vaccine for any disease” to patients aged 5 years and older.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Board of Pharmacy has published a final rule amending language prohibiting retaliation in response to requests for additional staff and reports of staffing concerns. The Rule will be effective July 25, 2024.

Also in Ohio, Medicaid and Myers and Stauffer hosted a webinar to brief pharmacy associations about the mandatory upcoming biennial Cost of Dispensing Study. Please review the slide deck and the DRAFT Cost of Dispensing study for more details. Survey forms will be sent to all pharmacies July 25 via both snail mail and email and are due back August 29. Please see pages 9-11 of the slide deck for specific information options for chain pharmacies to submit batch data for all stores.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Ohio Board of Pharmacy issued the following communications:

• Certified Pharmacy Technician Renewal and CE Requirements.pdf
• eLicense – Guide Registered Pharmacy Technician Renewal.pdf
• eLicense Guide – Certified Pharmacy Technician Renewal.pdf

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Ohio will soon join the ranks of states that have updated its immunization law post-pandemic. On June 26, the last day of session prior to summer recess, the House passed, and the Senate concurred on SB 144. The bill will permit pharmacists and technicians to administer a vaccine “for any disease” to patients aged five years and older. It is now on its way to Gov. Mike DeWine (R) for signing. NACDS thanks our in-state partners, members and allies for the remarkable team effort in getting this bill across the finish line.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The House Health Committee advanced SB 144, a priority bill for members. The legislation will more closely align the existing pharmacy immunization law with the PREP Act. Specifically, the bill permits pharmacists, interns and technicians to administer any vaccine to patients aged 5 years and older. We expect the House and the Senate to give final approval to the bill next week. If all goes as planned, it should be on the Governor’s desk before summer recess.  The bill will be effective 90 days after it is signed.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Board of Pharmacy has posted the following updates:

• 202404 – April 9, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes.pdf
• 202404- April 15, 2024 Conference Call Minutes.pdf
• 202405 – May 1, 2024 Conference Call Minutes.pdf
• 202405 – May 15, 2024 Conference Call Minutes.pdf
• 202405 – May 22, 2024 Conference Call Minutes.pdf
• 202405 – May 29, 2024 Conference Call Minutes.pdf
• 202405 – May 8, 2024 Conference Call Minutes.pdf
• CSI – BIA – Criteria for Licensure (Comments Due 6.24.2024).pdf
• CSI – BIA – EMS (Comments Due 6.24.2024).pdf
• CSI – BIA – Recordkeeping (Comments Due 6.24.2024).pdf

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.