• HB 1506 and SB 1026, bills that would expand pharmacists’ scope of practice have been voted favorable out of their respective chamber of origin, meeting the General Assembly’s bill crossover deadline.  NACDS has been on the ground with allies and in-state partners in Richmond to promote their advancement.  We will continue to support those efforts in the second half of the legislative session as the bills are considered by the opposite chambers.  
• SB 830 and HB 1304 also advanced beyond their chambers this week and will be eligible for passage in the opposing chamber. These bills would require pharmacy technicians to receive accredited training and certification

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

NACDS was in attendance as two bills of interest to pharmacy advanced this week in the Virginia Legislature. The Senate Education and Health Subcommittee on Health Professions reported out a substitute version of SB 1026 as amended. The legislation, among other provisions, would expand pharmacists’ ability to immunize adults and test and treat adults for influenza and strep as well as other disease states under protocol.  The legislation was reported out favorably and now will go before the full committee. The Subcommittee also advanced SB 830. This bill would require pharmacy technicians to have accredited training effective July 1, 2022. The bill also requires that the BOP convene a workgroup to make recommendations on expanded duties for technicians. 

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

As a result of House Joint Resolution 662, the Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) in late November and reviewed a report of policy options for pharmacists scope of practice as it relates to Collaborative Practice Agreements (CPAs), Standing Orders and Statewide Protocols. The commission unanimously adopted two options to recommend for legislation in the 2020 Regular Session. One would add independent practice nurse practitioners and physician assistants to the list of practitioners that could be a party to a CPA; the other is a request to the Boards of Pharmacy and Medicine to convene a workgroup to determine if statewide standing orders could be expanded to include other conditions, including CLIA-waived tests.

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

As a result of House Joint Resolution 662, the Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) met last week and reviewed a report of policy options for pharmacists scope of practice as it relates to Collaborative Practice Agreements (CPAs), Standing Orders and Statewide Protocols. Unfortunately, the Commission did not adopt the policy recommendations that NACDS advocated for in our two rounds of comment letters submitted to the JCHC. Instead, the Commission adopted the following options to recommend for legislation in the 2020 Regular Session – add independent practice nurse practitioners and physician assistants to the list of practitioners that could be a party to a CPA; and request to the Boards of Pharmacy and Medicine to convene a workgroup to determine if statewide standing orders could be expanded to include other conditions, including CLIA-waived tests.

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

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.