Public Affairs
Board of Pharmacy: Regulatory Update New Board Member
Sherill Whisenand was appointed by Governor Reynolds and began serving on the Board May 1, 2020. Her current term will end April 30, 2023. She is the Project Director for the Iowa Secretary of State and has previously served three terms on the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Board of Pharmacy Legislation
The Board discussed the outcome of several pieces of legislation introduced by the Board. This included the Board’s PMP bill to require schedule V controlled substances, including when dispensed by a pharmacist without a prescription, to be reported to the PMP. This bill passed both chambers and was recently signed by the Governor. The Board also discussed their recommended changes to the Practice Act, which included establishing broad statutory authority for collaborative practice in Iowa, allowing for prescription adaptation, expanding Iowa’s emergency dispensing laws, and changes to telepharmacy staffing requirements. Unfortunately, these did not pass following the suspension of the legislative session in March.
Discussion on Board Guidance Pertaining to COVID-19
The Board discussed conditions which should be met by a graduate pharmacist intern prior to the issuance of an emergency pharmacist license and directed staff to provide detailed guidance. Related to continuing education requirements, the Board determined that there appeared to be no reason to delay or reduce the required hours and would be willing to consider individual waiver petitions if there are pharmacists who are unable to timely complete CE requirements due to COVID-19.
Vote of Adoption on New Regulations
Controlled Substance Registration The Board adopted an amendment to Chapter 10, “Controlled Substances,” of Iowa Administrative Code, that clarifies the Board’s expectation that an individual Controlled Substances Act registrant cancels their registration when the registration is no longer needed (such as when discontinuing practice in Iowa) and, when having done so, is allowed to later renew when the registrant returns to practice in Iowa or wishes to again engage in activities which require a registration for the standard renewal fee. ■
Tune-in to IPA’s BOP: What, Why & How podcast following each Iowa Board of Pharmacy meeting to recap the board’s actions and earn pharmacy law CE. More information at www.iarx.org/BOP_Podcast.
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