The Emergency Regulation allowing pharmacists to initiate treatment for Naloxone, Epinephrine, Hormonal Contraceptives, Prenatal vitamins, and certain OTC meds under protocols are currently in effect as of January 3. The protocols and other documentation forms needed can be found here. As you will recall, these regs are the result of the passage of HB 1506 last session, a legislative priority for members that NACDS was instrumental in passing.

Also in Virginia. The Pharmacy Technician Registration Emergency Regulation became effective January 3. The Board of Pharmacy expects to have an online registration portal operational next week and will email licensees when it is available for technician trainee registration. However, certification is not required to register as a technician until July 1, 2022.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Board of Pharmacy has revised its document HHS Vaccine Allowances for Pharmacists, Pharmacy Interns, and Pharmacy Technicians during COVID-19 Health Emergency and COVID-19 Testing Resource to include additional guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on October 20 which authorizes both “qualified pharmacy technicians” and State-authorized pharmacy interns acting under the supervision of a qualified pharmacist to administer FDA-authorized or FDA-licensed COVID-19 vaccines to persons ages three or older and to administer FDA-authorized or FDA-licensed ACIP-recommended vaccines to persons ages three through 18.

Also in Virginia. The agenda packet for the Board of Pharmacy’s virtual public hearings and the full board meeting scheduled on December 10, 2020, has been posted.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Board of Pharmacy has published the agenda for the regulation committee’s meeting on November 12, 2020, at 9 am. Instructions to access the virtual meeting are included in the agenda.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Department of Health has issued a VA COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Intent form. Pharmacies who wish to receive COVID vaccine allocations from VDH are required to fill out the form. Questions regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Intent Form can be directed to COVIDVaccineInfo@vdh.virginia.gov

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Department of Health (VDH) has asked NACDS to share their COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Intent form with members. Members who wish or plan to receive the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine through the VDH must fill out and submit this form. If you are planning to receive the vaccine directly from the CDC, you do not need to file the form with VDH. The letter is also available on the VDH Resources for Health Care Professionals web page. As of now, one form is required for each location, however, VDH is looking into whether they can accept a spreadsheet for multiple locations. According to VDH, the physician and physician license number fields should be filled out with the pharmacy location name and pharmacy license number.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The 2nd pharmacy protocol workgroup met this week to consider the third enactment clause of HB 1506 of 2020. The charge of this workgroup is to recommend further protocols to the General Assembly for legislative consideration in the 2021 session. Both NACDS and VACDS were represented on the workgroup and provided public comments before the meeting. Please see the agenda for background and details. The workgroup voted to recommend the following protocols:

• Immunizations – all CDC-recommended vaccines for adults
• Tobacco Cessation and treatment
• TB testing
• Flu test and treat
• UTI Test and Treat
• Strep Test and Treat
• HIV Prep and Pep –
• The workgroup also agreed to adopt language recommending that pharmacists be authorized to dispense certain devices – i.e. diabetic supplies

Also in Virginia. The Board of Pharmacy has adopted an emergency regulation based on the requirements for pharmacists to order and administer childhood vaccines under the PREP Act. Effective September 22, any pharmacist who administers an immunization or directs a pharmacy intern to administer an immunization under his supervision to a person aged three through eighteen years in accordance with the United States Health and Human Services declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act during the COVID-19 public health emergency shall report such immunization to and provide all information required by the Virginia Immunization Information System.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.