The Board of Pharmacy issued this alert: “Please be aware that there have been several Pharmacy Burglaries (Nighttime Break-Ins) recently. Please be alert to any suspicious activities. The DEA 106 Forms for theft/loss of CDS must be reported to the DEA, OBNDD and OSBP. OBNDD is requesting that the pharmacies fax the DEA 106 Forms for Burglaries to: Attention: Cynthia Perez, Criminal Intelligence Analyst, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs – Fax 405-530-7619. Make sure that you include the Police Report and provide Surveillance Video if available. Please make sure that your alarm systems are working properly and consider enhancing your security systems as well.”

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

The Board of Pharmacy issued information regarding physician assistants (PA) prescribing Schedule II controlled substances prescriptions. For more information, contact pharmacy@pharmacy.ok.gov.

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

The Board of Pharmacy announced a new committee to evaluate and update rules for technicians administering immunizations. Interested persons need to email a letter of interest and resume to pharmacy@pharmacy.ok.gov.

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

The Board of Pharmacy issued a reminder that the Board of Nursing has a rule that requires the name of the supervising physician to be on the prescription from nurse practitioners.

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

REMINDER: The Board of Pharmacy cancelled all the COVID waivers effective July 1. If there is a need for a COVID waiver, then a request to reapply must be made to the board.  

Also in Oklahoma, beginning July 1, the Board of Pharmacy transitioned to an online system where all new licenses and license renewals must be paid for through the Board’s online store. The Board will only accept credit card payments (Mastercard or Visa) or Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT). For additional information, contact the Board. 

Lastly in Oklahoma, the Board issued this reminder that the law on E-Scripts and OBNDD (Oklahoma Board of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs) prescription pads does not apply to prescribers practicing in a federal facility, including Indian Health Services/Tribal pharmacies. The Board explained this is because prescribers can work there and be licensed in another state and not be licensed in Oklahoma. Furthermore, the Board stated the prescriptions from these federal facilities are legal and appropriate to fill if all other requirements are met. 

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

HB 2677, amending the audits and administrative appeals procedures, was signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) on May 4, 2021.

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

In The Oklahoma Register Vol. 38 No. 17, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority published an emergency rule amending regulations under OAC 317:30-5 to revise provisions regarding diabetes self-management education and support providers to update requirements for Medicaid payment of providers and requirements that such providers be certified. The rule also allows registered dietitians, registered nurses, and pharmacists to render services and be reimbursed when meeting specific licensure, training, and experience requirements. The rule became effective April 14 and expires September 14, 2022.

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

SB 4, legislation by Sen. Greg McCortney (R) establishing conditions when a pharmacist may substitute an interchangeable biological product for a prescribed biological product was signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt (R). The new law will take effect on November 1, 2021.

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

Two bills supported by chain pharmacies are advancing through the committee process in the first house. SB 398 would eliminate the statutory requirement for pharmacists to have an order from a licensed prescriber to administer an immunization, making it consistent with the current practices in place during the pandemic. SB 392 is payment parity legislation that would provide reimbursement to a pharmacist for services if the insurer pays for those same services when provided by other health care professionals.

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