Minnesota Board Reopens after State Government Shutdown Ends

July 21, 2011 2:13 PM

On Wednesday, July 20, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signed the state budget appropriation bills into law, ending the budget impasse that caused the closure of the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy since July 1. The Board resumed work on July 21 and is open during normal operating hours, 8 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

The Board closure has resulted in a large backlog of work, which staff will prioritize to address critical areas, according to Cody Wiberg, executive director of the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy. Initial priorities include issuing licenses and registrations, inspecting new and remodeled facilities, investigating complaints that appear to be critical, handling active disciplinary cases, and resumption of prescription monitoring program (PMP) querying and reporting. He explained that once the backlog is addressed the Board will focus on regular activities including finalization of rule changes, processing of continuing education requests, routine facility inspections, investigation of all other complaints, processing of new PMP user applications, provision of technical assistance, and all other routine activities.

To alleviate the concerns of licensee candidates in Minnesota, the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy now allows candidates who have taken the NAPLEX or MPJE to view their scores on the NABP Web site. While candidates now have access to their examination scores on the NABP Web site, the Board is still required to complete its normal licensing process. Board staff will verify scores and send out the required paperwork as soon as possible. The Board requests that candidates do not come into the office until they have received paperwork in the mail. Please note, the Minnesota Legislature approved fee increases for all license and registration types. The new initial pharmacist license fee is now $130. In addition, the Board must still collect the 10% e-licensing surcharge of $13.

An ad hoc full Board meeting will be scheduled in August to replace the cancelled July 15 meeting. Please check the Board’s Web site for information about the date and time of the rescheduled meeting.

While the Board and its staff are not responsible for the shutdown, the Board offers sincere apologies for the inconvenience and hardship that licensees, registrants, applicants, and the public may have experienced during the three-week shutdown. Wiberg said that the Board will make every effort to return to normal operations as quickly as possible, and appreciates the understanding of those affected; given the backlog of work, Board staff may not be able to respond to inquiries as quickly as they normally would.

For further information, contact the Board at 651/201-2825 or via e-mail at pharmacy.board@state.mn.us.