The Board of Pharmacy held a workgroup on September 23 to consider making recommendations to the Legislature on passing legislation that would expand pharmacy technician duties in the 2022 session. The workgroup was mandated by HB 1304 of 2020. This law will require pharmacy technicians to be certified by July 2022. According the draft minutes the workgroup took the following actions:
- Motion to recommend the elimination tech ratio failed; subsequent motion to not recommend the elimination of tech ratio passed 6-2
- Motion to recommend permanently authorize nationally certified techs to administer vaccines in accordance with PREP Act passed 7-1
- BOP Executive Director clarifies that pharmacists and technicians under supervision are currently authorized to perform CLIA-waived testing
- Motion that the BOP further study, rather than recommend, Technician Product Verification passed unanimously
- Motion passed unanimously to recommend that pharmacy technicians be authorized to clarify number of refills and drug quantity for new prescriptions or refills (Sch. VI)
- Motion to allow techs to accept new prescriptions failed 6-2
- Motion passed unanimously to recommend allowing a nationally certified technician to electronically transfer a Schedule VI refill that is not an “on hold” prescription when authorized by Pharmacist in Charge.
- Board voted unanimously that the BOP clarify regulations, if needed, to allow pharmacy technicians to take medication histories independently to include drug name, dosage and frequency. It was the opinion of Board staff that this is currently authorized.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.