CMS Announces Accreditation Deadline for All DMEPOS Suppliers All suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) must be accredited by September 30, 2009, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced. Suppliers not accredited by that date...

The Task Force on Continuous Quality Improvement, Peer Review, and Inspecting for Patient Safety met December 6-7, 2007. Task Force members reviewed their charge and accepted it as follows: To review current Model State Pharmacy Act and Model Rules of...

Manufacturers Agree to Restrict Distribution of Methadone As of January 1, 2008, manufacturers of methadone hydrochloride tablets 40 mg (dispersible) have voluntarily agreed to restrict distribution of this formulation to only those facilities authorized for detoxification and maintenance treatment of...

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) is pleased to announce that as of December 8, 2007, the Georgia Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination® (MPJE®) has been reinstated in all Prometric testing centers. “NABP thanks the Georgia State Board of...

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) announced today that Walgreen Co. received accreditation for its mail-order pharmacy services and its retail stores through the Association’s durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) accreditation program. The DMEPOS program...

Published in the December 2007 Kentucky Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Intervention: Breaking the Cycle of Dependency Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects 7% of people nationally, and, as health care professionals, we have been trained very well on how...

Published in the December 2007 New Mexico Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The regulation defining Unprofessional Conduct or Dishonorable Conduct (16 NMAC 19.4.9) was expanded, on October 29, 2007, to include the violation “dispensing a prescription for a dangerous drug without...

Published in the December 2007 Idaho Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Effective July 1, 2007, the addition of a new section to the Uniform Controlled Substance Act, Section 37-2727, Idaho Code allows for the operation of a narcotic treatment program in...

Published in the December 2007 Idaho Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Pharmacies won a six-month delay in the requirement to implement tamper-resistant pads by October 1, 2007, or risk loss of reimbursement from Medicaid. Congress unanimously passed an extension to March 31,...

Published in the December 2007 Kansas State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Board office has received numerous complaints from physicians and pharmacists in Kansas concerning faxes that are being transmitted from an Internet company to business fax machines in Kansas...

Published in the December 2007 Idaho Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Pharmacies won a six-month delay in the requirement to implement tamper-resistant pads by October 1, 2007, or risk loss of reimbursement from Medicaid. Congress unanimously passed an extension to March...

Published in the December 2007 Idaho Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Every wholesale distributor who engages in wholesale distribution of prescription drugs must be licensed by the Idaho Board of Pharmacy in accordance with the laws and rules of this state...

Published in the December 2007 Idaho Board of Pharmacy Newsletter 54-1733 Validity of Prescription Drug Orders reads: A prescription or drug order may be issued either: (a) By a practitioner acting in the usual course of his profession; or (b)...

Published in the December 2007 Vermont Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Until the requirement for tamper-resistant prescription pads is implemented, the Board is considering, as part of its rules, revision of the following. This is a draft proposal only, but may...

Published in the December 2007 Vermont Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Following an inspection of a facility, a letter is sent to the attention of the pharmacist manager noting any discrepancies found. The Board has noticed an increase in responses from corporate...

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) is pleased to announce the accreditation of several independent pharmacies through the Association’s durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) accreditation program. The DMEPOS program ensures that pharmacies supplying DMEPOS products...

DEA Publishes Rule on Issuing Multiple Prescriptions for Controlled Substances Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published in the Federal Register on November 19, 2007, a final rule titled “Issuance of Multiple Prescriptions for Schedule II Controlled Substances.” Effective December 19, 2007,...

NABP Testifies at FDA Meeting on Proposed Behind-the-Counter Class of Drugs NABP testified at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) meeting November 14, 2007, stating its support for the proposed creation of a behind-the-counter (BTC) class of drugs. The meeting...

The Task Force on Prescription Drug Diversion from Common Carriers met November 8-9, 2007. Task Force members reviewed their charge and accepted it as follows: Identify the scope and breadth of the problem; Recommend ways in which the boards of...

Published in the November 2007 Missouri Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Effective August 28, 2007, legislation passed by the Missouri General Assembly and signed into law by the governor gave pharmacists the statutory authority to administer viral influenza vaccinations and provide...

Published in the November 2007 Missouri Board of Pharmacy Newsletter An innovative Electronic Health Record (EHR) program for Missouri HealthNet participants is now available to health care providers. The Web-based tool, CyberAccesssm , allows physicians to prescribe electronically, view diagnosis...

Published in the November 2007 Alabama State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Board is aware that multiple Web site recruiters are making phone calls and sending faxes regarding electronic prescriptions, prescription faxes, and prescribing system schemes to increase prescription volumes...

Published in the November 2007 Oregon State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Currently in Oregon there are approximately 7,000 pharmacy technicians, nearly 2,000 of which are Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technicians. The August 2006 Newsletter detailed the requirements and timelines for pharmacy...

Published in the November 2007 Oregon State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Following a law passed in 2000, additional information began appearing on the medication labels of prescription products received by Oregonians beginning in 2002 from their pharmacies. The Accuracy Label,...

Published in the November 2007 Ohio State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter By the time this Newsletter arrives, the Board should have new rules that have become effective. The full text of these rules can be found on the Board’s Web...

Published in the November 2007 Ohio State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter We do not know when the next disaster will occur, but when it does, Ohio Medical Reserve Corps (OMRC) volunteers are ready to respond. The landscape of emergency management...

Published in the November 2007 Ohio State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter By now, everyone should be aware that President Bush signed HR 3668 on September 29, 2007, thereby delaying for six months the implementation of the requirement that all written...

Published in the November 2007 Ohio State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Please remember that rule 4729-5-30 (Manner of Issuance of a Prescription) of the Ohio Administrative Code requires that all hard-copy (written) prescriptions must be manually signed by the prescriber....

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) announced today that BioScrip, Inc received accreditation for its licensed pharmacies and mail-order facility through the Association’s durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) accreditation program. The DMEPOS program ensures that...

NAPLEX and MPJE Test Vendor to Change Effective January 2008 Effective January 2, 2008, NABP will utilize Pearson VUE as the vendor for administration of the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination™ (NAPLEX®) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination® (MPJE®). Pearson...

Effective January 2, 2008, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) will utilize Pearson VUE as the vendor for administration of the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination™ (NAPLEX®) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination® (MPJE®).Pearson VUE offers a professional...

FDA Seeks Input on Establishing Behind-the-Counter Class of Drugs Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently posted a Federal Register notice announcing a public meeting on November 14, 2007, to obtain comments regarding behind-the-counter (BTC) availability of drugs. The purpose of...

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) is pleased to announce that as of October 5, 2007, the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination™ (NAPLEX®) has been reinstated in all Prometric testing centers, several weeks earlier than the originally anticipated...

NAPLEX Reinstated in all Prometric Testing Centers, Effective October 5 NABP is pleased to announce that the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination™ (NAPLEX®) program is being reinstated in all Prometric testing centers, effective October 5, 2007. Candidates who have been...

Reprinted from the October 2007 North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Board staff is frequently asked whether and under what circumstances a transfer of prescription drugs to another pharmacy could trigger wholesaler obligations. Dan Ragan – the drug administrator for...

Reprinted from the October 2007 North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Pharmacists in the state undoubtedly are aware that Congress amended the Medicaid statute to state that pharmacies will not be reimbursed for filling Medicaid prescriptions “for which the prescription...

Reprinted from the October 2007 North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Board staff reminds any pharmacy that meets the definition of “Internet pharmacy” under 21 NCAC 46.1317(17) that it will not be eligible to renew an existing permit for 2008...

Reprinted from the October 2007 North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. North Carolina Board of Pharmacy staff has received numerous questions about pharmacist administration of Zostavax®. Many pharmacists have been asked by physicians around the state to administer this vaccine...

Published in the October 2007 Washington State Board of Pharmacy The Board is considering rules to set minimum standards for pharmacies located in correctional facilities. The evaluation and standards for retail pharmacy settings are not always appropriate for the unique...

Reprinted from the October 2007 Minnesota Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Board staff members are often asked about what information can be changed (or added) to a Schedule II prescription by a pharmacist. The following answer, which is posted on the...

Reprinted from the October 2007 Minnesota Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. On May 14, 2007, a notice of “Adopted Permanent Rules Relating to Pharmacy Regulations” was published in the Minnesota State Register. This was the final step in the adoption of...

Reprinted from the October 2007 Nevada State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Pharmacists and pharmaceutical technicians engaged in filling prescriptions are required to put their handwritten initials on original prescriptions to document who filled the prescriptions. Many registrants believe computer-generated initials...

Reprinted from the October 2007 Montana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. The Board receives many calls about the administration and dispensing of methadone and Suboxone® (buprenorphine and naloxone). Methadone may be used for the treatment of pain, and any pharmacy may...

Reprinted from the October 2007 Montana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Physicians, Mid-level Providers, Dentists, Pharmacies, and Inpatient and Outpatient Hospitals Tamper-Resistant Prescription Pads – Postponed The federal law requiring written Medicaid prescriptions to be on tamper-resistant pads has been delayed...

Reprinted from the October 2007 Montana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) provides information on what can be changed or added to a Schedule II controlled substance prescription by a pharmacist. The majority of changes...

Published in the October 2007 Washington State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter A jump in overdose deaths from the use of prescription pain killers has created what many medical officials are describing as a poisoning epidemic. There were 923 poisoning deaths...

Published in the October 2007 South Dakota State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided partial guidance and background information on the requirements to use tamper-proof prescription pads. Beginning on October 1, 2007,...

Published in the October 2007 Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Physician Assistant (PA) Law Change: Effective July 1, 2007, the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision amended the rules for PA prescriptive and dispensing authority. Prescriptions for non-controlled...

Proposed Legislation Would Soften Requirements for Tamper-Resistant Rx Pads Legislation recently introduced in the House and Senate seeks to lessen the impact of a new law requiring the use of tamper-resistant prescription pads for Medicaid prescriptions as of October 1,...

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy®(NABP®) announced today that CVS Caremark received accreditation for its mail-order pharmacy services and its CVS/pharmacy retail stores through the Association’s durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) accreditation program. The DMEPOS program...

Health Policy Expert, FDA Commissioner, DEA Administrator to Speak at NABP Fall Legislative Conference NABP welcomes economist and health policy expert Dan L. Crippen, PhD; Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Andrew C. von Eschenbach, MD; and Drug Enforcement Administration...

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) is pleased to present attendees with the opportunity to hear the distinguished Dan L. Crippen, PhD, economist, health policy expert, and former director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), provide his expertise...

Published in the September 2007 Vermont Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Pharmacy Board Rule 19.3.4 states: “Carbon or duplicate prescriptions are not valid prescriptions.” The purpose of this rule is to prohibit individuals from making copies of an original prescription and...

Published in the September 2007 Vermont Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Board discussed 26 VSA §2032 (5) regarding developing criteria for tamper-resistant prescription pads. Attorney Larry Novins, Board legal counsel, reported that the federal law requires it as of October...

Published in the September 2007 Vermont Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Board is very concerned that pharmacies are not adhering to posted “open” hours and closing down without notice due to staffing shortages. This is a matter of public...

Published in the September 2007 Vermont Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Vermont law, 26 Vermont Statutes Annotated (VSA) §§2078 & 2079 (Act 101) allows pharmacists who have taken a Pharmacy Board-approved training program to enter into a collab¬orative practice agreement with...

Published in the September 2007 Vermont Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Prospective Drug Utilization Review (DUR) is required to be done by each pharmacist before they dispense a prescription (see Pharmacy Rule 19.9). The purpose of DUR is to improve the...

Published in the September 2007 Kentucky Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Overdose due to methadone is on the rise in Kentucky. The 2006 Office of the State Medical Examiner’s Annual Report indicates 197 deaths related to the misuse of the prescription...

Published in the September 2007 Kentucky Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Board office has received many questions and concerns from pharmacies and pharmacists in Kentucky regarding the receipt of faxes and seeing questionable Internet pharmacy Web sites. Once the Board...

Published in the September 2007 Kentucky Board of Pharmacy Newsletter 201 Kentucky Administrative Regulation (KAR) 2:040 establishes the standards for training, qualifications, and registration of pharmacist interns. An applicant for registration as a pharmacist intern shall register with the Board...

Published in the September 2007 New Mexico Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. This year there have been numerous issues involving the delivery of CS from drug wholesalers. These issues can include shipping overages, shortages, receipt of items not ordered, or something different...

Published in the September 2007 New Mexico Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Board has received several requests/complaints from practitioners concerning the substitution of the prescribed drug with a drug that is not listed by Food and Drug Administration as therapeutically equivalent....

Published in the September 2007 New Mexico Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The prescription monitoring program is growing as more pharmacies and practitioners utilize the system. Do not forget all pharmacies and practitioners who prescribe controlled substances (CS) can request patient reports...

Published in the September 2007 Delaware State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Board has often been asked whether a prescription for “office use” is valid. In essence the answer is “no.” Medications prescribed must be dispensed to a patient. When...

Published in the September 2007 Delaware State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter On July 24, 2007, Governor Ruth Ann Minner signed Senate Bill 84. The bill amends the entire Pharmacy Act as initiated by the General Assembly’s Sunset Committee. Among the...

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) continues to create efficient and convenient means for its program application processes with the launch of online applications for its Verified-Accredited Wholesale Distributors® (VAWD®) and Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites™ (VIPPS®) programs....

CMS Issues Guidance for Implementation of Tamper-Resistant Prescription Pad Requirements In a letter distributed August 17, 2007 to state Medicaid directors, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provides details regarding its implementation of certain provisions of the...

Two sessions featuring the timely topics of emergency preparedness and compounding are the latest additions to a program already full with exciting and relevant educational sessions available at the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) Fall Legislative Conference to...

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP® ) welcomes Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Andrew C. von Eschenbach, MD, and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Karen P. Tandy, JD, to speak at its Fall Legislative Conference. On September...

CMS Issues Proposed Rule on Surety Bond Requirement for DMEPOS Suppliers The Centers for Medicare and Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a proposed rule that would require all Medicare suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies...

Published in the August 2007 Oregon State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Board’s compliance staff has run across several examples of improper use of the titles PharmD and RPh. This is just a reminder that the title PharmD is a...

Published in the August 2007 Oregon State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter An area of confusion over pharmacist and pharmacy technician duties that has recently been brought to the Board’s attention is that of reducing an oral prescription to writing. Despite...

Published in the August 2007 Indiana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The next prescription you receive may be from a physician assistant (PA). The new law authorizes a physician to delegate to a PA duties that are within the supervising physician’s...

Published in the August 2007 Indiana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Based on new legislation from 2006 and effective as of the most recent continuing education (CE) audit conducted by the Board of Pharmacy in May 2007, any pharmacist that fails...

Published in the August 2007 Indiana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Blue Card Rule (BCR) states as follows: “Any pharmacy staff (i.e. pharmacist, pharmacy intern, pharmacy technician or pharmacy technician-in-training) performing duties and responsibilities that require licensure or certification must...

Published in the August 2007 Indiana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Effective July 1, 2007, a pharmacist in a community setting may administer influenza immunization shots via a protocol agreement from an Indiana licensed physician. All other types of immunizations may...

Published in the August 2007 Alabama State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Alabama Uniform Controlled Substances Act mandates that every person or entity who manufacturers, distributes, or dispenses any controlled substance (CS) within Alabama or who proposes to do so...

Published in the August 2007 Ohio State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter At the current time, it appears that physician assistant (PA) prescribing will begin some time this fall. The State Medical Board of Ohio is in the process of finalizing...

Published in the August 2007 Ohio State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Ohio General Assembly has passed, and the governor has signed, some bills that will have an impact on the practice of pharmacy in Ohio. In addition, the General...

Law Requiring Use of Tamper-Resistant Rx Pads Worries Pharmacy Groups Starting October 1, 2007, prescriptions for Medicaid beneficiaries must be either transmitted electronically or written on tamper-resistant prescription pads. This provision, included in the US Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina...

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) announced today that Prescription Solutions received accreditation for both its Carlsbad, CA, and Overland Park, KS, facilities through the Association’s durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) accreditation program. The DMEPOS...

Death in Canada Confirmed to be Result of Counterfeit Drugs Purchased via Internet Canada's first confirmed death from counterfeit drugs purchased over the Internet reinforces long-stated concerns of the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA), the association states in a July 6,...

Published in the July 2007 Washington State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Since 1998, the Department of Health has required all practitioners to complete AIDS education prior to getting health care credentials. The Board of Pharmacy has permitted pharmacy assistant applicants...

Published in the July 2007 Washington State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Board is part of a pilot program to collect and appropriately dispose of waste medications from household users. The Board has partnered with the Washington State Department of...

Published in the July 2007 Washington State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Washington State Board of Pharmacy adopted a new rule in April and amended another rule on pharmacies’ responsibilities. We anticipate that these rules will be in effect mid...

Reprinted from the July 2007 Montana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. It is no longer acceptable to instruct patients to flush unused or unwanted medications due to concerns about contamination of the water supply. Many professional societies and patient advocacy organizations...

Reprinted from the July 2007 North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. The North Carolina General Assembly mandates pharmacists participating in the Medicaid program to substitute generic drugs for brand-name drugs unless the prescriber indicates “medically necessary” on the face of...

Reprinted from the July 2007 North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Effective January 1, 2008, the Board will have the authority to “require licensees to obtain up to 30 hours of continuing education every two years from Board-approved providers as...

Reprinted from the July 2007 New Jersey Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. A number of instances involving incorrect dates assigned to refill prescriptions have recently come to the Board’s attention. Specifically, a prescription is only valid for one year from the...

Reprinted from the July 2007 North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. 21 NCAC 46.2512 became effective on April 1, 2007. The rule, entitled “Pharmacist Work Conditions,” provides: A permit holder shall not require a pharmacist to work longer than 12...

Reprinted from the July 2007 North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Effective April 1, 2007, pharmacies that satisfy the definition of an “Internet pharmacy” must comply with substantial new requirements to receive or renew a pharmacy permit. 21 NCAC 46.1317...

Reprinted from the July 2007 North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. North Carolina Board of Pharmacy staff members are aware that several pharmacies, both in-state and out-of-state, regularly engage in the compounding of prescription veterinary drug products for resale. This...

Published in the July 2007 Washington State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Washington Recovery Assistance Program for Pharmacy (WRAPP) seeks to protect the health and safety of the public while acting as a health resource and support of rehabilitation to...

Reprinted from the July 2007 Minnesota Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Upon receipt of a new prescription or a new drug order, following a review of the patient’s record, a pharmacist must personally initiate discussion of matters, which in the professional...

Reprinted from the July 2007 Nevada State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Board staff has received consumer complaints regarding a pharmacist refusing to supply diabetic supplies (test strips, meters, etc) on prescriptions that do not have the brand to be dispensed...

Reprinted from the July 2007 Nevada State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Due to a recent inquiry by a national news division, we were asked to tally serious patient injuries and/or deaths reported to the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy that...

Reprinted from the July 2007 Minnesota Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Pharmacists are reminded that there is a difference between certification and quality assurance, and that both are required per Minnesota Rules. Certification is the process by which one pharmacist or...

Published in the July 2007 Washington State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter At its October 2006 meeting, the Washington State Board of Pharmacy adopted a new rule to set uniform standards for the use of automated drug distribution devices (ADDDs) for...

Published in the July 2007 South Dakota State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Board of Pharmacy has approved only those pharmacists certified to administer the influenza vaccine to administer Zostavax® to patients 60 years and older if the patient has...

Reprinted from the July 2007 Montana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. 2007 was a busy legislative year for the practice of pharmacy. There were several pieces of legislation introduced by special interest groups that would have had a significant impact on...

Reprinted from the July 2007 Montana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Used with permission from the Washington State Board  of Pharmacy. The Board receives many calls about the administration and dispensing of methadone and Suboxone® (buprenorphine/naloxone). Methadone and buprenorphine may be...

Published in the July 2007 Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Leslie Patatanian, PharmD, DPh, clinical pharmacy specialist at Integris Medical Center, shared a letter with the Board from DEA stating that infants and children suffering Infant Abstinence Syndrome (IAS)...

FDA Seeks Comments on Effectiveness of Medication Guides in Communicating Risks The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) is seeking feedback from pharmacy stakeholders on the FDA Medication Guide program. CDER held a public...

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy®(NABP®) announced today that Patient Care Infusion dba Arizona Home Care received accreditation through the Association’s durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) accreditation program. Pharmacies accredited through the NABP DMEPOS program are...

Drug Topics Article Addresses Logistical, Political Challenges Facing Boards of Pharmacy An article in the June 5, 2007 issue of Drug Topics addresses the strains that the state boards of pharmacy are feeling under the pressures of short staffs and...

Published in the June 2007 Kansas State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The 2007 legislative session instituted several changes to the Kansas Pharmacy Act. House Bill 2096 made some technical amendments to how Board meetings operate. The amendment permits the Board...

Published in the June 2007 Idaho Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Well, the 2007 legislative session has ended, and as always there has been some interesting outcomes for pharmacy. The Temporary Rules 265, 267, 268, and 269 authorizing specific pharmacies and...

Pulished in the June 2007 Kentucky Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Sentate Bill (SB) 88 (sponsored by Senator Robert Stivers) was signed into law by Governor Ernie Fletcher on April 5, 2007. This bill will strengthen the current Internet pharmacy law....

Published in the June 2007 Kentucky Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Beginning March 9, 2007, additional limitations were placed on the prescriptive authority of advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNP) for controlled substances (CS) by the Kentucky Board of Nursing. Following are...

Published in the June 2007 Delaware State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Most pharmacists are aware of Web sites that exist whereby the public can purchase prescription medications without having a patient-practitioner relationship. Many of these sites require the person to...

NABP Executive Committee Officer Reports of the 103rd Annual Meeting Now Available Officers of the NABP Executive Committee presented their reports during the NABP 103rd Annual Meeting, updating members on the state of pharmacy regulation and the status of NABP...

Delegates from the member boards of pharmacy adopted seven resolutions during the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) 103rd Annual Meeting, held May 19-22, 2007, in Portland, OR. The resolutions addressed such timely issues as disciplined pharmacists’ participation in...

Gary A. Schnabel, RPh, RN, Oregon pharmacist, was elected to serve as treasurer of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) during the Association’s 103rd Annual Meeting, May 19-22, 2007, in Portland, OR. Prior to the election, Mr Schnabel...

Lawrence H. “Larry” Mokhiber, MS, RPh, immediate past president of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®), assumed the office of chairperson of the Association’s 2007-2008 Executive Committee during the Final Business Session of the NABP 103 rd Annual...

Delegates to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) 103rd Annual Meeting, held May 19-22, 2007, in Portland, OR, elected individuals to fill the president-elect, treasurer, and open member positions on the Association’s 2007-2008 Executive Committee. At the conclusion...

Cathryn J. Lew, RPh, was elected to serve a two-year member term, representing District 7, on the Executive Committee of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) during the Association’s 103rd Annual Meeting, May 19-22, 2007, in Portland, OR....

Elizabeth Scott “Scotti” Russell, RPh, was elected to serve a three-year member term, representing District 2, on the Executive Committee of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) during the Association’s 103rd Annual Meeting, May 19-22, 2007, in Portland,...

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) honored leaders in the protection of public health at the Association’s 103rd Annual Meeting, held May 19-22, 2007, in Portland, OR. Each year, the Association presents awards to individuals who have served...

Karen M. Ryle, MS, RPh, was re-elected to serve a three-year member term, representing District 1, on the Executive Committee of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP® ) during the Association’s 103rd Annual Meeting, May 19-22, 2007, in...

Lloyd K. Jessen, RPh, JD, was re-elected to serve a three-year member term, representing District 5, on the Executive Committee of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) during the Association’s 103rd Annual Meeting, May 19-22, 2007, in Portland,OR....

Each year the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) Executive Committee selects an individual to serve as its honorary president for the coming year. NABP is pleased to announce that Charles R. “Chuck” Young, RPh, CFE, has been awarded...

Oren M. Peacock, Jr, RPh, began his term as president of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP® ) during the Final Business Session of the Association’s 103rd Annual Meeting, May 19-22, 2007, in Portland, OR. During his presidency,...

Richard A. “Rich” Palombo, RPh, was elected to serve as president-elect of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) during the Association’s 103rd Annual Meeting, May 19-22, 2007, in Portland, OR. Prior to the election, Mr Palombo was a...

Resolution: 103-7-07 Title: Recognition Resolution Action: Passed Whereas, the individuals listed here have made significant contributions to NABP, the protection of the public health, and the profession of pharmacy: Carol V. Bateman (SC) Salvatore J. “Sal” D’Angelo (LA) John R....

Resolution Number: 103-6-07 Title: Clearinghouse for Pharmacies Action: Passed Whereas, pharmacies frequently serve patients in multiple states; and Whereas, pharmacies may be operating without appropriate licensure within the state in which the patient resides and may also be circumventing non-resident...

Resolution Number: 103-5-07 Title: Medication Error Reporting Action: Passed Whereas, the 2006 Institute of Medicine (IOM) Preventing Medication Errors: Quality Chasm Series, formally recommends boards of pharmacy implement quality improvement initiatives related to community pharmacy practice; and Whereas, the aforementioned...

Resolution Number: 103-4-07 Title: Prescription Drug Diversion from Common Carriers Action: Passed   Whereas, there is a threat to the public health due to the diversion of prescription drugs from common carriers during interstate and intrastate distribution and delivery to...

Resolution Number: 103-3-07 Title: Internet Pharmacy Public Safety Awareness Action: Passed   Whereas, it is often difficult for the public to distinguish legitimate Internet pharmacies and Web sites from rogue Internet pharmacies and Web sites; and Whereas, the public is...

Resolution Number: 103-2-07 Title: Valid, Ongoing Patient-Prescriber Relationships Action: Passed   Whereas, rogue Internet pharmacies and Web sites, defined by NABP as those entities that distribute prescription drugs in violation of state and federal laws, allow consumers to obtain prescription...

Resolution Number: 103-1-07 Title: OIG Exclusion Programs and Board of Pharmacy Disciplinary Actions Action: Passed Whereas, Title XI of the Social Security Act (Sections 1128, 1156, and 1892) legally authorizes the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the Department...

The 2006-2007 Committee on Constitution and Bylaws met via teleconference on April 11, 2007. The Committee reviewed its charge as stated in the NABP Constitution and Bylaws. No additions or changes were proposed. Therefore, the charge reads as follows: Article...

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy®(NABP®) announced today that North Coast Medical Supply, dba Advanced Diabetes Supply, is the first pharmacy to receive accreditation through the Association’s durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) accreditation program. Pharmacies accredited...

Advanced Diabetes Supply Earns First NABP DMEPOS Accreditation The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) recently announced that North Coast Medical Supply, dba Advanced Diabetes Supply, is the first pharmacy to receive accreditation through the Association’s durable medical equipment,...

Improperly Compounded Colchicine Responsible for Recent DeathsCompounded colchicine that was 10 times as potent as labeled was responsible for two recent deaths in Oregon and Washington, the Portland Tribune reported on April 27, 2007. State officials are investigating the drug’s...

Published in the May 2007 Missouri Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The “practice of pharmacy” as defined in Section 338.010, RSMo, does not give a pharmacist the authority to administer a medication to a patient. Pharmacists that are administering drugs, including...

Published in the May 2007 Oregon State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Oregon State Board of Pharmacy has observed that a pharmacist who accepts a position in the pharmacy as a pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) for the first time may not be...

Published in the May 2007 Missouri Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Inspectors are routinely asked for a list of the most common deficiencies noted during inspections. Below is a list of those that result in compliance notices being issued during inspections:...

Published in the May 2007 Missouri Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Board of Pharmacy regulation 20 CSR 2220-2.085 allows for the transmission of controlled substance (CS) prescriptions by electronic transmission as long as it does not violate other state or federal...

Published in the May 2007 Indiana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The issue of unlicensed and uncertified pharmacy licensees is plaguing our regulation of pharmacy in Indiana. Specifically, technicians – who must be certified in Indiana as of January 2004 –...

Published in the May 2007 Indiana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Board of Pharmacy has eliminated the availability of online applications for technicians due to certification processing issues. Since certifying technicians began in January 2004, Board of Pharmacy staff has...

Published in the May 2007 Alabama State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Butalbital compounds will be under stricter control. The State Committee of Public Health has approved a rule change that will remove any exemptions on butalbital compounds from the Alabama...

Published in the May 2007 Ohio State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Due to the number of pharmacists and prescribers calling the Board office about prescription format, signatures on written prescriptions, and the actual content of the prescriptions, it is time...

Published in the May 2007 Ohio State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Last year, the Ohio General Assembly passed Senate Bill 154, which significantly changed the scope of practice for physician assistants (PAs). A major change that will affect pharmacists the...

Published in the May 2007 Ohio State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter You probably know that your pharmacy’s name and address are required on labels for IVs dispensed to outpatients pursuant to rules 4729-5-16 and 4729-31-03. In addition, the name and...

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) 103rd Annual Meeting offers pertinent and timely continuing education (CE) sessions presented by some of pharmacy’s most knowledgeable and riveting speakers. Attendees have the opportunity to earn up to seven contact hours...

The Task Force on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and the US Drug Distribution System met on November 16-17, 2006. Task Force members reviewed their charge and accepted it as follows: The charge of this Task Force will be to develop a...

The Committee on Law Enforcement/Legislation met on January 25-26, 2007. The members of the committee reviewed their charge and, proposing no changes, accepted it as follows: Review and comment on existing legislation and rules for the practice of pharmacy, legal...

The Task Force on Standardizing Student Pharmacist Experiential Requirements met on December 7, 2006 and December 8, 2006. Task Force members reviewed their charge and accepted it as follows: Recommend standardized experiential requirements, taking into consideration Accreditation Council for Pharmacy...

States Tighten Wholesaler Licensure Requirements to Protect Against Counterfeit DrugsThe states continue to make progress in tightening licensure requirements for wholesale drug distributors in an effort to protect their citizens from counterfeit drugs that might otherwise infiltrate the supply chain....

CMS Announces Final Rule on DMEPOS Competitive Bidding and First 10 MSAs The Medicare Durable Medical Equipment Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program final regulation is now on display at the Office of the Federal Register. The Centers...

Published in the April 2007 Washington State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The legislature recently expanded the authority of naturopathic physicians. The law was amended to replace the term “medicines of mineral, animal, and botanical origin” with the term “naturopathic medicines.”...

Reprinted from the April 2007 Montana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. The Montana Legislature is currently in session. A brief description of the bills before the Montana Legislature that directly affect the practice of pharmacy follows. House Bill (HB) 449 Rescheduling...

Published in the April 2007 South Dakota State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Automated mechanical distribution devices (AMDDs) are used to assist pharmacists when dispensing prescription medications. South Dakota law authorizes the South Dakota State Board of Pharmacy’s oversight of this...

Reprinted from the April 2007 Montana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Is there a quantity limit on Schedule II prescriptions? According to federal law, there is no quantity limit for controlled substances (CS) prescriptions, including Schedule II prescriptions. However, a pharmacist...

Reprinted from the April 2007 New Jersey Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. All hospitals accredited by The Joint Commission, formerly known as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, are now required to reconcile each patient’s home medications with their...

Reprinted from the April 2007 New Jersey Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. The New Jersey Board of Pharmacy was recently asked to consider a proposal that would involve the generation of electronic prescriptions, including those for Schedule III-V controlled dangerous substances,...

Reprinted from the April 2007 North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. In the April 2006 Newsletter (Item 2107), the Board stated its policy about when and under what circumstances a student enrolled in a school of pharmacy approved by the...

Reprinted from the April 2007 North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Most pharmacists are aware that the General Assembly enacted a CS reporting system last year. The statute requires all dispensers to report information about CS prescriptions to the state...

Reprinted from the April 2007 North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Previous Newsletter items have alerted independent pharmacists that illegal Internet operations are soliciting them to act as “fulfillment” centers. This continues to occur. The typical “pitch” is that an...

Reprinted from the April 2007 North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Several physicians in North Carolina have complained to the Board about the volume and nature of refill authorization faxes transmitted to their practices. These faxes, examples of which appear...

Published in the April 2007 South Dakota State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Every pharmacist needs to be aware that during the yearly legislative process, laws may be adopted that affect the way you practice pharmacy. The adoption of Medicare Part...

Reprinted from the April 2007 Minnesota Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Some pharmacies use systems that allow prescription orders to be scanned into computer systems. The scanned image is then used to process the prescription and to verify its validity. Pharmacists...

Reprinted from the April 2007 Minnesota Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Board of Pharmacy inspectors continue to report finding pharmacy technicians working without a current technician registration. In some cases, individuals have been allowed to work as technicians for months without...

Reprinted from the April 2007 Nevada State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. One of the many responsibilities of the managing pharmacist is to ensure the security of the drug inventory –  especially the controlled drug inventory. The Board office has become...

Reprinted from the April 2007 Nevada State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. On June 23, 2005, a final rule was published expanding the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 to include specifically approved Schedule III, IV, and V medications for use...

In November 2006, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® informed the Board of the following: It has come to our attention through the efforts of NBC Affiliate, Channel 13 Indiana reporter Bob Segall, that the problem has resurfaced or...

Reprinted from the April 2007 Nevada State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. The subject of generic substitution seems to arise repeatedly in one form or another. With the emergence of the now infamous “$4 generic” the scenario goes as follows: Your...

Published in the April 2007 Washington State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Sexual misconduct by a health care provider exploits the patient-practitioner relationship and violates public trust. On December 14, 2006, the Board adopted a new rule that defines specific acts...

California Panel Issues Recommendations to Reduce Medication Errors The California Medication Errors Panel issued a report on March 6, 2007 focusing on the causes of medication errors in the outpatient setting and recommending changes in the health care system to...

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP® ) is proud to announce that Henry Schein, Inc has become the first wholesale drug distributor in the nation to have its entire distribution system accredited through the NABP Verified-Accredited Wholesale Distributors®...

NABP Testifies in Support of Maryland Wholesale Drug Distribution Legislation NABP staff testified on March 1, 2007, before the Maryland House Health and Government Operations Committee in support of House Bill 1030. The legislation provides the Maryland Board of Pharmacy...

Published in the March 2007 Vermont Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The simple answer is no. Prescription medication must be dispensed to a patient. If a pharmacist is transferring prescription medication to a physician’s office in order for the physician to...

Published in the March 2007 Vermont Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Board of Pharmacy would like to clarify the rules regarding faxed Schedule II prescriptions for a hospice patient. According to the federal Controlled Substances Act as found in Code...

Published in the March 2007 Kentucky Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Recent investigations by the Kentucky Bureau of Investigation, Kentucky State Police, and Kentucky Board of Pharmacy have identified various out-of-state pharmacies contacting pharmacies in Kentucky asking them to become a...

Published in the March 2007 Idaho Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a public health advisory concerning the use of methadone. There have been reports of death and life-threatening side effects in patients taking methadone....

Published in the March 2007 Kentucky Board of Pharmacy Newsletter On January 26-27, 2007, the seventh annual Clinical Applications of the Principles in Treatment of Addiction and Substance Abuse (CAPTASA) conference was held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Lexington,...

Published in the March 2007 Idaho Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The following is an article provided by the Idaho Board of Pharmacy to all the medical boards and other interested parties concerning e-prescribing and the transmission of prescriptions by facsimile....

Published in the March 2007 Kentucky Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Board office has recently been made aware of some news media reports concerning pharmacies that have become lax in their management of patient data and information. Numerous examples were...

Published in the March 2007 Delaware State Board of Pharmacy News The Board frequently receives questions from pharmacists wanting to know if dispensed medications may be returned to the pharmacy by a patient or family member. Once dispensed medications have...

Published in the March 2007 New Mexico Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Lately, forged prescriptions for either large quantities or high strengths of both OxyContin® and Percocet® have been presented to be filled. The presenters are often young adults or juveniles...

Published in the March 2007 New Mexico Board of Pharmacy Newsletter When a prescriber writes a prescription for a dangerous drug, the quantity written on the prescription is the quantity that must be dispensed unless the pharmacist contacts the prescriber...

Published in the March 2007 New Mexico Board of Pharmacy Newsletter During the November 2-3, 2006 Board meeting, the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy amended four regulations. Each of these amendments will be discussed briefly. To view these regulations, contact...

FDA Alerts Consumers to Unsafe, Misrepresented Drugs Purchased Over the Internet The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that a number of Americans who ordered specific drug products over the Internet (Ambien, Xanax, Lexapro, and Ativan) instead received a product...

Attendees of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy®’s (NABP®) 103rd Annual Meeting do not have to climb Mount Hood as they will be “Reaching New Heights to Make a Difference” when they convene May 19-22, 2007, at the Hilton...

For the years of dedication he gave to the pharmacy profession, the late Executive Director Emeritus of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®), Fred T. Mahaffey, RPh, PharmD(Hon), will have an enduring place at NABP. On February 8,...

NABP Honors Executive Director Emeritus with Dedication of Fred T. Mahaffey Boardroom On February 8, 2007, NABP will commemorate its former patriarch with the dedication of the Fred T. Mahaffey Boardroom at its Mount Prospect, IL headquarters. Dr Mahaffey died...

Published in the February 2007 Virginia Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The federal Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA) has significantly changed how physicians may treat opioid addiction. Previously, physicians who wanted to maintain a patient on controlled opioid therapy...

Published in the February 2007 Missouri Board of Pharmacy Newsletter In 2003, the Board initiated a program to test drug preparations compounded by pharmacies. All preparations are tested for potency and, if applicable, sterility and endotoxin. The tables below are...

Published in the February 2007 Missouri Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Board continues to see noncompliance relating to technician registration. The pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) is responsible for ensuring all technicians are properly registered. Before a technician can assist in the practice...

Published in the February 2007 Alabama State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The United States Food and Drug Administration approved Plan B® for sale to customers 18 years of age or older without a prescription in August 2006. Distribution of the...

Published in the February 2007 Missouri Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Pharmacists have questioned the validity of prescriptions received electronically from the Division of Medical Services (Medicaid). These prescriptions, which bear a CyberAccess logo and state seal, are generated by physicians...

Medicine Shoppe International Agrees in Principle to Seek DMEPOS Accreditation from NABP Medicine Shoppe International, Inc has agreed in principle to seek NABP accreditation for its pharmacies nationwide that supply durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS). Medicine Shoppe...

Medicine Shoppe International, Inc has agreed in principle to seek National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP® ) accreditation for its pharmacies nationwide that supply durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS). “We congratulate Medicine Shoppe International for its...

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) is moving forward with its accreditation program for pharmacies providing durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS). NABP’s program is fully operational, and the accreditation application is online now at www.nabp.net....

Published in the December 2007 Vermont Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The purpose of the memorandum is to answer some questions and clarify a few issues that have recently been brought to the Board’s attention. Topics covered include the Board’s rules...

FDA Provides PDMA Background Information in Response to Federal Court Decision Following the federal court decision that prevented the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from implementing certain provisions of rules it had issued to implement the Prescription Drug Marketing Act...

Reprinted from the January 2007 Montana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. The August 24, 2006, FDA approval of the over-the-counter (OTC) sale of Plan B® to women 18 years of age and older was intended to make the drug more easily...

Reprinted from the January 2007 Montana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. The Board of Pharmacy is working in collaboration with a diverse group of stakeholders to implement a prescription monitoring program (PMP) in Montana. A bill authorizing the establishment of a...

Reprinted from the January 2007 Montana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. By Bill Sybrant We receive numerous questions at the Montana Board of Pharmacy regarding the conspicuous display of license or registration in the place of business. A review of statute...

Reprinted from the January 2007 Montana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Computer-generated prescriptions, electronic prescribing, and e-signatures are now a reality in daily pharmacy practice. The Board of Pharmacy has adopted rules (24.174.523) that allow for secure electronic signature and transmission...

Reprinted from the January 2007 Montana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. It is illegal to purchase or sell prescription drugs over the Internet without a valid prescription from a prescriber. The following four elements are useful in determining the validity of...

Reprinted from the January 2007 New Jersey Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Regulations promulgated by the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners outline the requirements of all written prescriptions in the state of New Jersey, including Schedule II prescriptions. According to...

Reprinted from the January 2007 New Jersey Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Confusion has arisen regarding “electronic prescriptions” that are printed and given to a patient. Such prescriptions are considered “written” rather than electronic if presented to a pharmacist for dispensing...

Published in the January 2007 Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter The Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy ruled on pharmacy technician permit renewals of persons not working in a licensed pharmacy. A person not working in a licensed pharmacy will...

Published in the January 2007 Nebraska Board of Pharmacy Newsletter There has been some confusion about a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulation regarding Schedule II prescriptions with “fill after” dates. On August 26, 2005, DEA published a clarification of its...

Reprinted from the January 2007 North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. In May 2005, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) promulgated a rule that allows, where state law permits, a retail pharmacy to install an automated dispensing system at a long-term care...

Reprinted from the January 2007 North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. On November 17, 2006, the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled that the Board of Pharmacy has the statutory authority to promulgate Rule .2506, which provides:   A permit holder...

Reprinted from the January 2007 North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Rule .1317(25) states that the pharmacist-manager is “the person who accepts responsibility for the operation of a pharmacy in conformance with all statutes and...

Reprinted from the January 2007 Minnesota Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. At its October 18, 2006 meeting, the Board adopted new “Guidelines for Dispensing with Remote Distribution via Telepharmacy.” Those guidelines are available on the Board’s Web site for review or...

Reprinted from the January 2007 Minnesota Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Board staff frequently receives questions about “electronic prescriptions.” For example, a common question is as follows: is a prescription that is electronically generated still valid if the prescriber prints it...

Reprinted from the January 2007 Nevada State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. 1. Plan B®: On August 24, 2006, FDA approved Plan B for over-the-counter (OTC) sale. Please note the following: a. Plan B is authorized for OTC sale in pharmacies...

Reprinted from the January 2007 Nevada State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. Proper canceling of Schedule II prescriptions: NAC 453.450(3) reads “Each prescription for a controlled substance listed in [S]chedule II must, immediately after filling, be conspicuously cancelled on its face....

Reprinted from the January 2007 Nevada State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter. 1. We have reports of instances involving the sig “take ½ tab” being misread by patients as “take 1 to 2 tabs.” This once again demonstrates the importance of...

Published in the January 2007 Washington State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is working to permit electronic prescriptions for controlled substances (EPCS). They have identified some performance standards. The standards include: Authentication: The ability to confirm authenticity...

Published in the January 2007 Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) Identification (ID) Requirements: As of February 1, 2007, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics & Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD) will be checking for customer IDs on control...