The Oregon Health Authority’s Immunization Policy Advisory Team (IPACT) will meet September 1 via Zoom. To register in advance for this meeting, use this link.  

Also in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority released its 2021 Coordinated Care Organization (COO) Metrics Report. Although statewide performance showed improvement on most of the 14 incentive measures, the exceptions were two immunization measures related to youth immunizations which were down 7.7% for adolescents and 8.3% for immunizations received by the child’s second birthday. These continue to be affected by the disruptions in preventive care that occurred during the pandemic. 

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

The Board of Pharmacy issued a Public Meeting Notice and published the agenda and meeting materials for its next meeting to be held August 10-12, 2022.

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

The Oregon State Newsletter – June 2022 has been posted to the NABP/Oregon website and includes the following information. 

• No. 678 Safe Pharmacy Practice Conditions 
• No. 679 Expedited Partner Therapy Updates 
• No. 680 Rulemaking
• Rule Feedback 
• Permanent Rules Adopted in April 2022
• Permanent Rules Adopted in June 2022
• No. 681 Compliance: Legal Advice vs Legal Information 
• No. 682 Licensing: Technician Renewals Due June 30, 2022 
• No. 683 REALD and Pharmacies 

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy adopted the following temporary rules effective July 1, 2022, through December 27, 2022. 

• OAR 855-019-0210 related to Duties of Pharmacist Receiving a Prescription  
• OAR 855-139-0699 related to a Retail Drug Outlet RDSP (Remote Dispensing Site Pharmacy) 

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy adopted the following permanent rules at the June 2022 Board Meeting. 

• Divisions 006/041/043/045/080/139 – related to Standards Adopted by Reference & Definitions  - Effective June 16, 2022 
• Divisions 019/025/041 – related to Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician/Pharmacy Technician Final Verification - Effective June 16, 2022
• Divisions 019/041/139 – related to Interpreters  – Effective September 1, 2022 
• Divisions 019/143 – related to Pharmacy Prescription Lockers - Effective June 16, 2022 
• Division 020 – related to Pharmacist Prescriptive Authority – Tobacco Cessation & PrEP - Effective June 16, 2022 
• Division 031 – related to Public Health Emergency Sunset – Effective June 16, 2022 
• Division 041 – related to Telework – Effective June 16, 2022
• Divisions 041/139 – related to Permanent Pharmacy Closure Requirements – Effective June 16, 2022 
• Division 080 – related to Pseudoephedrine/Ephedrine & Interns – Effective June 16, 2022 
• Division 110 – related to Drug Outlet Categories – Effective June 16, 2022 
• Division 139 – related to RDSP [Remote Dispensing Site Pharmacies] – Effective June 16, 2022 

Finally in Oregon, effective July 1, 2022, through December 27, 2022, the Oregon Health Authority adopted a temporary rule amending OAR 410-121-0030 and 410-121-0040 in accordance with the Drug Use Review (DUR) Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) Committee’s recommendations made during the June 2, 2022 meeting.   

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

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.