In elections this week, the Virginia Legislature flipped to Democratic control, with Democrats winning the majority in both the Commonwealth’s Senate and House of Delegates. With Gov. Ralph Northam (D), this places Democrats in political control of the state for the first time in over a quarter of a century. Gov. Northam is two years into a four–year term.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
NACDS submitted comments to the Joint Commission on Health Care related to the Commission’s ongoing study on the expansion of pharmacist authority through statewide protocols, standing orders and collaborative practice agreements. This opportunity is in alignment with NACDS’ Scope of Business campaign for Track 1 states to expand pharmacists’ scope of practice and payment/coverage within the state. The Commission is finalizing its report early this fall.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
NACDS submitted comments to the Board of Pharmacy related to legislation intending to standardize pharmacy technician training by requiring accredited training and national certification and removing employer-based training as an option. NACDS argued that there are currently at least 65 employer-based programs operating in Virginia and their elimination will create a critical gap on patient care because it will create a shortage in technicians. We requested that the Board advocate for legislation to study whether accredited training and national certification are necessary for all technicians, regardless of practice setting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
This week, hearings were held for HB 2559, Board of Pharmacy legislation, that provides for certain exemptions from the requirement, effective Wednesday, July 1, 2020, that any prescription for a controlled substance that contains an opioid be issued as an electronic prescription.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Beginning Wednesday, October 3, pharmacies will have to report any Schedule V drug requiring a prescription and any naloxone dispensed to the Prescription Monitoring Program. The change is the result of a Board of Pharmacy final rule published in the VA Register.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Department of Health Profession/Board of Pharmacy announced the denial of a petition to amend regulations under 19 VAC 110-20 to revise the requirement for retention of records beyond two years to include records of vaccine administration. The board decided to take no action at this time but referred the request to the Regulation Committee to determine what would be involved in requiring practitioners who administer immunizations to report to the Virginia Immunization Information System database.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-837-4195.
The Board of Pharmacy recently issued a Guidance document concerning pharmacists counseling to patients about proper disposal of unused prescription drugs. The document recommends that pharmacists verbally counsel or provide written information on the importance of proper storage and disposal of drugs to patients or their agents that fill prescriptions for drugs in Schedules II-V, as well as any drugs of concern. Additionally, it provides resources and links to proper drug storage and disposal options.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
HB 1556, legislation that will require pharmacies to report naloxone prescriptions to the prescription monitoring program has been signed by Gov. Ralph Northam (D) as Chapter 185. Specifically, the law amends the definition of “covered substances” to include naloxone and Schedule V controlled substances dispensed pursuant to a prescription and requires those drugs to be reported. The bill was an initiative of the Department of Health Professions (DHP) intended to allow practitioners to track whether patients are filling naloxone prescriptions when they are required under current prescribing guidelines. The bill requires that DHP promulgate regulations to implement.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Legislation that will require pharmacies to report naloxone prescriptions to the prescription monitoring program has passed both chambers and been sent to Gov. Ralph Northam (D) for his signature. Specifically, SB 832 amends the definition of “covered substances” to include naloxone and Schedule V drugs dispensed pursuant to a prescription and requires those drugs to be reported. The bill was an initiative of the Department of Health Professions intended to allow practitioners to track whether patients are filling naloxone prescriptions when they are required under current prescribing guidelines.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.