The Board of Pharmacy posted a public notice and agenda for the Safe Pharmacy Practice Conditions Workgroup meeting scheduled for July 18.

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

The Board of Pharmacy posted the June 8-10, 2022 Board Meeting agenda and meeting materials.

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

The Oregon Health Authority issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for minor edits to the Oregon Health Plan Managed Care Rules. These edits are needed to align with Federal requirements, clarify language, remove outdated references, and correct typos. It also adds a definition for “Plan Type.” Comments are due at 5:00 p.m. on May 21.

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

HB 4034, which was signed into law on March 23, includes several provisions of interest including allowing a pharmacy intern to transfer a drug containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine to a person 18 years of age or older without prescription; reporting of information regarding dispensing of biological products; clarifying the use of telepharmacy and permitting a pharmacist to delegate to a pharmacy technician final verification of prescribed drug and drug dosage, device, or product  

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy has adopted the following rules:  

April 22, 2022, Temporary Rules Noticed Pursuant to 2022 HB 4034 (Signed by Gov. Kate Brown (D) on March 23, 2022) – Effective April 22, 2022 through October 18, 2022 

• Divisions 006/019/025/041 – related to Certified Oregon Pharmacy and Technician/Pharmacy Technician Final Verification  - defines "final verification", amends "General Responsibilities of a Pharmacist" and adds Pharmacy Technician after Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician. 
• Division 041 – related to Telework – adds or/and Pharmacy Technician after Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician and adds configuration and records requirements for telework. 
• Division 080 – related to Pseudoephedrine/Ephedrine & Interns – adds "intern" so that an intern may transfer a drug containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine. 
• Division 139 – related to RDSP [Remote Dispensing Site Pharmacy] – amends certain requirements. 

The Board also permanently adopted the following rules – effective April 20, 2022 – at the April 2022 Board Meeting:  

• Divisions 006/041/139 – related to Definitions – amends "supervision by a pharmacist" related to telework situations and moves some definitions in Division 041/139 to Division 006. 
• Division 020 – related to COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test Protocol – adds "COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test Protocol" into the "Protocol Compendium". 
• Divisions 020/041/065/139 related to Alarm, Audiovisual Communication, Entry & Surveillance Systems – updates and defines terms. 
• Divisions 021/025/110 – related to Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician & Pharmacy Technician Licensure – amends pharmacy technician and certified Oregon pharmacy technician licensure rules, including application and renewal or reinstatement requirements, license fees and continuing education. 
• Division 041 – related to Disclosure of Patient Information – amends prohibited practices related to disclosure of patient information, including accessing or obtaining patient information unless it is for the purpose of patient care. 
• Division 041/139 – related to Accurate Pharmacy Hours & Temporary Pharmacy Closures – requires pharmacies to post accurate hours of operation and updates due to a temporary or permanent closure. 
• Division 080 – related to Schedule I Exceptions – related to marijuana, THC and Cannabis family Cannabaceae. 
• Division 143 – related to Pharmacy Prescription Lockers (PPLs) – establishes a new drug outlet type ("Pharmacy Prescription Lockers (PPLs)") and permits a pharmacy to operate a PPL. 

Finally in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority issued a temporary rule, effective April 27, 2022, through June 25, 2022, amending prior authorization approval criteria guide effective May 1, 2022. These amendments are based upon Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) Committee recommendations on April 7. 

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

The Oregon Health Authority is implementing changes to the Prior Authorization Guide and the Preferred Drug List, including select over-the-counter product classes, to ensure the safe and appropriate use of cost-effective prescription drug for Oregon Health Plan’s fee-for-service recipients. his is a temporary rule effective April 1, 2022, through June 25, 2022.

Also in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, making permanent changes to the Prior Authorization Guide and the Preferred Drug List, including select over-the-counter product classes, currently in effect as a temporary rule effective April 1, 2022, through June 25, 2022. Comments are due 5:00 p.m. on May 21.

Finally in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy posted a REVISED agenda and meeting materials for the April 13-15 meeting.

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

The Board of Pharmacy adopted the following:  

• Division 007 – related to Emergency Registration Designation effective March 30 through September 25. 
• Division 007 – related to 91-day Extension after a Declared Health Emergency Ends effective March 29 through September 24. 
• Division 110 – related to Supervising Physician Dispensing Outlet fees effective March 31 (permanent). 

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy posted its agenda and meeting materials for its next meeting scheduled for April 13-15.  

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

The Board of Pharmacy issued its March 2022 newsletter that includes the following articles: 

• "No. 671 New Rules for Telework" 
• "No. 672 New Temporary Rules: Accurate Hours of Operation, Temporary/Emergency/Permanent Pharmacy Closures, and PT and COPT Licensure"
• "No. 673 Rulemaking Updates" 
• "No. 674 Compliance Updates" 
• "No. 675 Technicians Must Work Under the Supervision, Direction, and Control of a Pharmacist at All Times" 
• "No. 676 Licensing" 
• "No. 677 Board Member News: A New Board Member and Current Opportunities" 

Also in Oregon, as the state enters a new phase of the pandemic, the Oregon Health Authority announced its five-point plan, "Oregon RISE: Resilience in Support of Equity." 

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

The Board of Pharmacy proposed to adopt the following rules. Written comments may be submitted via email to pharmacy.rulemaking@bop.oregon.gov before 4:30 p.m. on March 29 rulemaking hearing. 

• Divisions 006/041/139 – related to Definitions 
• Division 020 – related to COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test Protocol 
• Divisions 020/041/065/139 – related to Alarm, Audiovisual Communication, Entry & Surveillance Systems 
• Divisions 021/025/110 – related to Pharmacy Technician & Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician Licensure
• Division 041 – related to Disclosure of Patient Information 
• Divisions 041/139 – related to Accurate Pharmacy Hours & Temporary Pharmacy Closures 
• Divisions 041/139 – related to Drug Storage  
• Division 080 – related to Schedule I Exceptions 
• Division 143 – related to Pharmacy Prescription Lockers (PPLs)  

Also in Oregon, the Department of Human Services announced plans to lift mask requirements for indoor public spaces and schools on March 19. 

Finally in Oregon, Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced that she will lift the state's COVID-19 Emergency Declaration effective April 1. 

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

The Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda and meeting materials for the February 9-11, Board Meeting. 

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy issued a notice requesting fiscal impact for Pharmacy Prescription Lockers (PPL) from stakeholders. Note: any information provided to the Board becomes a public record. 

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