The Department of Human Services began issuing $170 million in Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) food benefits to 434,000 students and young children in late March through May. These additional food benefits are part of the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program, a temporary COVID-19 response program meant to provide additional food support for children whose access to food provided through school programs may have been impacted by COVID-19. A P-EBT card containing $391 in food benefits, which is different from a regular electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card, will be sent by mail to each eligible child. 

Also in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority published a final rule effective April 1, amending Prior Authorization Approval Criteria Guide & Preferred Drug List DUR/P&T Actions. (OAR 410-121-0030, OAR 410-121-0040) 

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy published a final rule effective April 4, amending Committee Member Compensation. (OAR 855-010-0016) 

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy posted the following: 

• Interns Workgroup – May 3 at 1:00 p.m. – Agenda 
• Collaborative Drug Therapy Management / Clinical Pharmacy Agreements Workgroup – May 4 at 1:00 p.m. — Agenda and Meeting Materials 

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy is proposing to adopt the following rules and announced a May 23 public hearing. Written comments may be sent to pharmacy.rulemaking@bop.oregon.gov no later than 4:30 p.m. on May 23.  

• Divisions 006/041/043/045/080/139/141 related to Adopted Standards by Reference 
• Divisions 019/020 related to Pharmacist Prescriptive Authority

• • COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody & COVID-19 Antiviral Protocols *Repeal  
  • Continuation of therapy including emergency refills of insulin v. 06/2023
    Travel Medications v. 06/2023
  • HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) v. 06/2023
    HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) v. 06/2023  
  • Contraception v. 06/2023 

• Divisions 019/041/043/045/080/139/141/143 related to Self-Inspection Form Completion Date 

Finally in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy adopted the following Temporary Rule, effective May 5: Division 045 – related to USP <795> and USP <797> Adopted Standards by Reference 

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

The Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda and meeting materials for the next Board Meeting scheduled for April 12-14; see additional details below. Also, please note the following agenda item:  

• Div 019/020- Pharmacist Prescriptive Authority – COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody, COVID-19 Antiviral, Continuation of Therapy including emergency refills of insulin, Contraception, PEP, PrEP, Travel Medications Protocols- #A2, A2a, A2b, A2c, A2d, A2e. See pp 47-103 (inclusive) of the PDF. 

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

SB 1085, legislation permitting pharmacists to test and treat for certain health conditions, requiring payment for pharmacist services and allowing pharmacists to delegate to a pharmacy technician or intern to perform testing under the pharmacist’s supervision, is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Committee on Health Care on March 29. The health conditions include influenza; lice; COVID-19 or other respiratory conditions, diseases, or illnesses; skin conditions, such as athlete’s foot or ringworm; streptococcus; urinary tract infection; other health conditions identified by the Oregon Health Authority as a public health emergency or other health conditions as identified by the Board of pharmacy by rule for which a patient may be tested.  

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy is seeking subject matter experts to serve on a workgroup concerning Collaborative Drug Therapy Management (CDTMs) and Clinical Pharmacy Agreement (CPAs). The purpose of this workgroup is to gather information related to CDTMs and CPAs and provide input for rules to ensure patient health, safety and welfare. It is anticipated that the workgroup will provide input on development of updated rules and provide the Board with recommendations, insights, and input on proposed rules. See additional information below. If you would like to serve on the CDTM/CPA workgroup, please complete the online form by Friday April 7, 2023. Those that are selected will receive confirmation by Friday April 14, 2023.

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

Dana Hittle has been appointed as the permanent Medicaid director and will oversee Oregon’s Medicaid program, including the Oregon Health Plan. Hittle previously served as interim state Medicaid director for the last two years and, before that, was deputy Medicaid director.

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

The Oregon Board of Pharmacy adopted the following Temporary Rule, effective February 10. 

• Division 020 – related to Protocols for COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody & COVID-19 Antiviral - Effective February 10.  

The Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for each product has been updated. The updated EUA for Paxlovid now differs from the approved statewide drug therapy management protocol which necessitates the protocol’s suspension. REGEN-COV is not authorized for use in any US region which also necessitates this protocol’s suspension. 

• COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody- REGEN-COV. EUA updated 1/24/2022. REGEN-COV (casirivimab and imdevimab) is not currently authorized in any U.S. region due to the high frequency of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants that are non-susceptible to REGEN-COV. Therefore, REGEN-COV may not be administered for treatment of COVID-19 under the Emergency Use Authorization until further notice by the FDA.
• COVID-19 Antiviral- Paxlovid. EUA updated 2/1/2023. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an EUA for the emergency use of PAXLOVID for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg) with a current diagnosis of mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. 

Temporarily suspends the statewide drug therapy management protocols for COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody and COVID-19 Antiviral due to: 

• COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody- REGEN-COV. REGEN-COV (casirivimab and imdevimab) is not currently authorized in any U.S. region. 
• COVID-19 Antiviral- Paxlovid. Under Oregon state laws, pharmacists cannot diagnose. The current Paxlovid EUA requires a diagnosis to prescribe Paxlovid, which is not required in the Board’s Paxlovid protocol (based on the EUA dated 10/27/2022) and appears to be preempted by federal law. 

The FDA has stated that EUAs preempt any differing requirements under states’ laws. As a result, the Oregon Board of Pharmacy will not take disciplinary action against persons who act in accordance an EUA, as a result of the FDA’s position that state law is preempted. If a complaint is received relating to activities covered under an EUA, the Board will expect the licensee to provide documentation of full compliance with the EUA. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action. 

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy permanently adopted the following rules at the February 2023 Board Meeting: 

• Divisions 019/041 related to Safe Pharmacy Practice Conditions: RPH Autonomy, Outlet Requirements – Effective February 14 
• Division 110 related to Pharmacy Prescription Kiosk (PPK) Registration Fee – Effective February 15 
• Division 019 related to Definitions – Effective February 14 

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy is seeking subject matter experts (SMEs), including pharmacists, to serve on the Public Health & Pharmacy Formulary Advisory Committee (PHPFAC). The board utilizes SMEs to develop and revised protocols in the Protocol Compendium. If you would like to serve as a SME for the PHPFAC please complete the online form by March 1. Individuals selected will receive confirmation by March 15. Email SME related inquiries to pharmacy.formulary@bop.oregon.gov. 

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for the Compounding Workgroup meeting on February 21. 

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for the Interns Workgroup meeting on February 22. 

Finally in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will resume health coverage renewals on April 1 for Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members. OHA is required to review eligibility for all 1.47 million OHP members by June 2024. Anyone who no longer qualifies for OHP coverage still have affordable health coverage options. The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace (OHIM) will send information to people who are no longer eligible for OHP benefits and advise of potential coverage options and financial help through the Marketplace. The Marketplace Transition Help Center will help people understand their options, how to transition to the Marketplace, and to find help from local health coverage experts.  

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

NACDS submitted comments to the Board of Pharmacy expressing concerns with the current proposals in Divisions 019 and 041 related to safe pharmacy practice conditions. As currently drafted, these proposals give a pharmacist unrestricted authority to close a pharmacy if that pharmacist feels, in their opinion, that staffing is insufficient to fill prescriptions or provide other services to patients; this may result in pharmacy closures across the state. In our letter, we stated current regulations are sufficient to provide the Board with authority to act against pharmacies that are not providing a safe work environment. 

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

The Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda and meeting materials for its meeting being held December 14-16.

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

The Board of Pharmacy is proposing to adopt the following rules. A hearing will be held on November 22 at 9:30 a.m. PT. Written comments may be filed before 4:30 p.m. PT on November 22 via email to pharmacy.rulemaking@bop.oregon.gov. 

• Division 019 – related to 2022 HB (House Bill) 4034 Duties of a Pharmacist 
• Division 139 – related to 2022 HB 4034 Prohibited Practices 
• Division 019 – related to 2022 HB 4096 Out-of-state Volunteer Pharmacist 
• Division 062 – related to Drug Distribution Agent 
• Divisions 010/019/020 – related to Pharmacist Prescriptive Authority 

• • COVID-19 Antiviral (Paxlovid) 
  • Travel Medications 
  • PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) 
  • PrEP (Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness) 
  • Contraception 

• Divisions 021/135 – related to Continuing Pharmacy Education 
• Divisions 019/141 – related to Pharmacy Prescription Kiosk (PPK) 
• Divisions 006/019/031 – related to Definitions 
• Division 041 – related to Prescription Labeling Expiration Date 
• Divisions 001/102 – related to Procedural & Universal Rules *The board does not intend to adopt these rules in December 2022 – seeking public comment only 
• Divisions 025/125 – related to Pharmacy Technicians *The board does not intend to adopt these rules in December 2022 – seeking public comment only 
• Divisions 019/020/031/041/115 – related to Pharmacists *The board does not intend to adopt these rules in December 2022 – seeking public comment only 

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

The Board of Pharmacy is seeking applications from persons interested in serving on a workgroup concerning pharmacy interns. For more information, including the online application, visit the “Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) & Workgroup Information” webpage.

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