LICENSURE GATEWAY

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    Wallace Nelson Receives Bowl of Hygeia Award

    The North Carolina Association of Pharmacists presented Wallace E. Nelson with the 2024 Bowl of Hygeia Award at its annual convention. Established in 1958, the Bowl of Hygeia Award is sponsored by the APhA Foundation and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations. Participating state pharmacy associations recognize one pharmacist annually for an outstanding record of community civic leadership. NCAP Executive Director Penny Shelton praised Wallace, noting that he has “walked the talk his entire career finding ways to serve and give back at extraordinarily high levels.”

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    CMS ADOPTS SCRIPT STANDARD 2023011 – IMPLICATIONS FOR ELECTRONIC CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION TRANSFERS

    On June 17, 2024, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule for health information technology standards to adopt the SCRIPT Standard Version 2023011. The updated SCRIPT Standard Version will allow electronic controlled substance prescriptions transfers between pharmacies in a way that complies with DEA’s rule. (More below)

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    Upcoming NC Board of Pharmacy Elections / July 31 Candidate Interest Forum

    The next NC Board of Pharmacy elections are scheduled to begin November 1, 2024. Two district seats will be up for election this year, the Northeastern District position presently held by Wallace Nelson, and the Central District position presently held by Ashley Duggins. The winners of this election will begin their terms on May 1, 2025.

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    Burglaries Reported at Multiple North Carolina Pharmacies

    Multiple independent pharmacies in North Carolina have been burglarized. The burglars gained access using a sledgehammer or other means to open a hole in the pharmacy's exterior wall, including brick and cinder block.

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    BOARD STAFF NOTES CONCERN WITH A NUMBER OF RECIPROCITY APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY PHARMACISTS SEEKING TO PRACTICE AT NORTH CAROLINA HEALTH SYSTEMS

    Board staff have noted (another) uptick in license reciprocity applications in which the applicant admits having engaged in acts constituting the practice of pharmacy in a North Carolina health-system facility prior to licensure in the state.

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    Joey McLaughlin to Fulfill Andy Bowman’s Remaining Board Term

    Board members and staff thank Andy Bowman for eight years of superlative service to the Board and the citizens of North Carolina. Dr. Bowman has accepted a position with the Appalachian College of Pharmacy which requires his relocation to Virginia. With Dr. Bowman’s departure, the Board elected Robert “Joey” McLaughlin, Jr. to fulfill the unexpired term. We welcome Mr. McLaughlin back to Board service. 

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    July 9, 2024 Board Meeting

    NCBOP Office, 6015 Farrington Road, Suite 201
    Chapel Hill, NC 27517. The meeting will begin at 9:30AM with a hearing to consider proposed rule changes.

    Board Meeting Information
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    NC Board of Pharmacy Joins Instagram

    You already follow us on Twitter/X. Now the Board is happy to introduce our new Instagram page. Follow us for news updates, information, photos, live streaming and more!

    Follow us on Instagram - @NCBoardofPharmacy
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    REMINDER TO PHARMACY PROVIDERS: NC MEDICAID LAUNCHING NEW MANAGED CARE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL/DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TAILORED HEALTH PLANS ON JULY 1.

    Details about these new plans may be found here. Questions about these new plans should be directed to North Carolina Medicaid.

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    July 2024 NABP/NCBOP Newsletter

    Quarterly highlights of national and state news.

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    In coordination with the NC Professionals Health Program

    The NCBOP and NCPHP established the L. Stanley Haywood Recovery Fund in 2018. It provides financial support to qualifying pharmacy personnel in need of substance use assessment, treatment, and monitoring services. Learn more about donating or applying for assistance.

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    FDA Issues Draft Guidance on DQSA’s Wholesaling Prohibition for 503B Outsourcing Facilities

    Prohibition on Wholesaling Under Section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

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    NCBOP Rulemaking Notice: Proposed Amendments to 21 NCAC 46 .1401 and .1415

    A public hearing will be held at 9:30AM on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at the Board’s office to consider these changes.

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    Dispensing Optometrist Registration System Now Open

    Optometrists who dispense certain prescription drugs may now register with the Board of Pharmacy. The initial registration fee is $75 and requires an annual renewal.

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    NC Board of Pharmacy YouTube Channel 

    Board meetings are live-streamed and past meetings are archived here.

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Latest News

  • WALLACE NELSON RECEIVES 2024 BOWL OF HYGEIA AWARD

    JULY 25, 2024

    The North Carolina Association of Pharmacists presented Wallace E. Nelson with the 2024 Bowl of Hygeia Award at its annual convention. Established in 1958, the Bowl of Hygeia Award is sponsored by the American Pharmacists Association Foundation and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations. Participating state pharmacy associations recognize one pharmacist annually for an outstanding record of community civic leadership. NCAP Executive Director Penny Shelton praised Wallace, noting that he has “walked the talk his entire career finding ways to serve and give back at extraordinarily high levels.”

    Wallace is a native of Hertford. He began his post-secondary education at the College of the Albemarle and is a 1976 graduate of the UNC School of Pharmacy. His professional career began in retail pharmacy before joining Chowan Hospital in Edenton and Bertie Hospital in Windsor. He has served, and continues to serve, both hospitals at all levels for over forty years, thirty-six as Director of Pharmacy.

    The state’s pharmacists elected Wallace to serve on the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy in 2000. He served two five-year terms, through 2010, and was again elected to the Board in 2020. Board members have selected him as President several times.

    Wallace’s record of community service outside of pharmacy is long and diverse. He is a member of the Perquimans County Board of Education and Board of County Commissioners, where he currently serves as Chairman. He is actively involved in the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and will be installed as President Elect in August 2024 and as President in 2025. Past appointments by Governors Martin, Hunt, McCrory, and Cooper, include the College of the Albemarle Board of Trustees, North Carolina Marine Industrial Authority, as well as several Governor’s Councils, Institutes and Legislative Study Commissions.

    Wallace has been previously recognized for his community and state service. In 2010 Governor Perdue named Wallace to the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state’s highest honor for those who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments. In 2011 the North Carolina School Boards Association tapped Wallace to receive the Raleigh Dingman Award, the highest honor bestowed on a school board member.

    Wallace and his wife Freda (a retired educator) are the parents of Ethan (a practicing dentist), Lauren (a human resources manager), and the grandparents of Reagan and Harrison.

  • CMS ADOPTS SCRIPT STANDARD 2023011 – IMPLICATIONS FOR ELECTRONIC CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION TRANSFERS

    JULY 25, 2024

    (RE)SETTING THE STAGE

    On July 27, 2023, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a final rule governing the transfer of electronic prescriptions for controlled substances prior to initial fill. Among other things, the DEA rule provides that for a valid transfer to occur: “The prescription must be transferred from one retail pharmacy to another retail pharmacy in its electronic form. At no time may an intermediary convert an electronic prescription to another form (e.g., facsimile) for transmission.” Furthermore, the rule states: “The contents of the prescription required by this part must not be altered during transfer between retail pharmacies. Any change to the content during transfer, including truncation or removal of data, will render the electronic prescription invalid.” 21 CFR § 1306.08(f)(1) and (2)

    DEA commentary accompanying the rule asserted that SCRIPT Standard Version 2017071 enables the transfer of CS prescriptions between pharmacies in a way that satisfies these rule requirements. In a February 14, 2024 letter to stakeholders, Surescripts confirmed that SCRIPT Standard Version 2017071 does not do what DEA thinks that it does – and never has. Surescripts stated that SCRIPT Standard Version 2023011 is capable of transferring CS prescriptions in a way that complies with DEA’s rule, but the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must finalize a rule allowing the industry to adopt this updated SCRIPT standard.

    UPDATE

    On June 17, 2024, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule for health information technology standards to adopt the SCRIPT Standard Version 2023011. The updated SCRIPT Standard Version will allow electronic controlled substance prescriptions transfers between pharmacies in a way that complies with DEA’s rule. CMS’ adoption is found here.

    WHAT NOW

    Pharmacies should communicate with their technology vendors to determine when and how their systems will be updated to incorporate SCRIPT Standard Version 2023011.

  • UPCOMING BOARD ELECTIONS - NORTHEASTERN AND CENTRAL DISTRICTS

    JULY 24, 2024

    The next NC Board of Pharmacy elections are scheduled to begin November 1, 2024. Two district seats will be up for election this year, the Northeastern District position presently held by Wallace Nelson, and the Central District position presently held by Ashley Duggins. The winners of this election will begin their terms on May 1, 2025.

    Follow this link for election details and dates/locations of upcoming Board-hosted Candidate Interest Sessions.

  • BURGLARIES REPORTED AT MULTIPLE NORTH CAROLINA PHARMACIES

    JULY 19, 2024

    Multiple independent pharmacies in North Carolina have been burglarized. The burglars gained access using a sledgehammer or other means to open a hole in the pharmacy's exterior wall, including brick and cinder block. Once inside, the individuals crawled to stay below the motion sensor to access the controlled substance safe. The safes have been breached via crowbars and a Sawzall-type tool. These burglaries have occurred typically in the early hours of Monday mornings.

    If you experience a loss of any prescription medication, controlled or otherwise, from your pharmacy, complete the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Drug Disaster & Loss Report within ten (10) days of the loss or theft. This FAQ outlines the requirements in such cases.

  • BOARD STAFF NOTES CONCERN WITH A NUMBER OF RECIPROCITY APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY PHARMACISTS SEEKING TO PRACTICE AT NC HEALTH SYSTEMS

    JULY 18, 2024

    BOARD STAFF NOTES CONCERN WITH A NUMBER OF RECIPROCITY APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY PHARMACISTS SEEKING TO PRACTICE AT NORTH CAROLINA HEALTH SYSTEMS. Board staff have noted (another) uptick in license reciprocity applications in which the applicant admits having engaged in acts constituting the practice of pharmacy in a North Carolina health-system facility prior to licensure in the state. Upon questioning, the applicant usually responds with some variation of “I engaged in pharmacy practice, but only under the supervision of a North Carolina-licensed pharmacist.” This is a reminder to health-system pharmacies that there is no provision in law by which a pharmacist not licensed to practice pharmacy in North Carolina may engage in pharmacy practice within North Carolina. There is no “under the supervision of a North Carolina licensed pharmacist” exception. And applicants for licensure by reciprocity are not, and are not eligible to become, pharmacy interns. This is unlicensed practice of pharmacy, and a health-system that has allowed it to occur has aided an abetted the unlicensed practice of pharmacy. Board staff have reached out to various health-systems about this issue in recent years, but doing so has not impacted the practice. Accordingly, Board staff will begin treating these issues as potential disciplinary matters. Please ensure that no pharmacist in a North Carolina health-system facility engages in acts constituting the practice of pharmacy unless and until the pharmacist is licensed in North Carolina. 

  • FAREWELL AND THANK YOU TO BOARD MEMBER ANDY BOWMAN

    july 5, 2024

    Board members and staff thank Andy Bowman for eight years of superlative service to the Board and the citizens of North Carolina. The state’s pharmacists elected Dr. Bowman in 2016, and he became the first graduate of the Campbell University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences to serve on the Board. The state’s pharmacists returned Dr. Bowman to a second term on the Board in 2021. He twice served as the Board’s president.

    Dr. Bowman has accepted an exciting personal and professional opportunity with the Appalachian College of Pharmacy where he will serve as assistant dean for strategic partnerships and engagement. This new opportunity will require Dr. Bowman’s relocation to Virginia.

    Dr. Bowman’s impact on the practice of pharmacy in North Carolina has been profound. In addition to serving on the Board, he taught generations of students at the Campbell University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. He served in leadership positions at the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists, the North Carolina Pharmacist Recovery Network (and its successor, the North Carolina Professionals Health Program), the American Society for Pharmacy Law, and the Harnett County Pharmaceutical Association.

    North Carolina pharmacy is better because of Dr. Bowman’s long and broad service. He will be missed. Board members and staff wish him and his wife, Sarah, every success in this new phase.

  • BOARD SELECTS JOEY McLAUGHLIN TO FULFILL ANDY BOWMAN’S REMAINING BOARD TERM

    july 5, 2024

    With Dr. Bowman’s departure, the Board is required to select a pharmacist to fulfill the remainder of his term of service. The pharmacist members of the Board solicited nominations from qualified pharmacists. After reviewing these pharmacists’ submissions, as well as holding a public interview and discussion session for all candidates at the May 21, 2024 business meeting, pharmacist members elected Robert J. “Joey” McLaughlin, Jr, to fulfill the unexpired term, which runs through April 30, 2026.

    Mr. McLaughlin is from New Bern, NC, and is the president and chief executive officer of Realo Drugs, which operates several community retail pharmacies and a device and medical equipment facility. Mr. McLaughlin’s practice background is broad, and he is a well-liked and well-respected member of the North Carolina pharmacy community. Mr. McLaughlin previously served on the Board from 2006-2016, and his service was exemplary.

    Board members and staff also thank Jennifer Buxton, Jason Foil, Karen Harrell-Tosto, Wes Hickman, Amanda Lingerfelt, Brian Moore, and Jack Pate for their candidacies.

  • REMINDER TO PHARMACY PROVIDERS: NORTH CAROLINA MEDICAID LAUNCHING NEW MANAGED CARE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL/DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TAILORED HEALTH PLANS ON JULY 1

    JUNE 18, 2024

    Details about these new plans may be found here. Questions about these new plans should be directed to North Carolina Medicaid.

  • NC BOARD OF PHARMACY IS PLEASED TO LAUNCH ITS UPDATED WEBSITE!

    june 7, 2024

    NCBOP members and staff are pleased to share our updated website! The URL – www.ncbop.org – remains the same, but you will see improvements to the site including a cleaner, more user-friendly interface; reorganized and more easily searchable frequently asked questions (FAQs) sections; and modules for each type of license, permit, and registration that the Board issues. Please contact us if you have questions or trouble finding information.

  • FDA ISSUES DRAFT GUIDANCE ON THE DRUG QUALITY AND SECURITY ACT’S WHOLESALING PROHIBITION FOR 503B OURSOURCING FACILITIES

    JUNE 29, 2023

    On June 27, 2023 the federal Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) issued a draft guidance document titled “Prohibition on Wholesaling Under Section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.” Section 503B states that an outsourcing facility is not eligible for the statutory exemptions for its compounded product if the product is sold or transferred by an “entity other than the outsourcing facility that compounded such drug.” Board staff have received calls from time to time inquiring whether this provision prohibits pharmacies from purchasing a compounded prescription product from a 503B outsourcing facility and then dispensing it to a patient pursuant to an individual patient prescription. FDA’s draft guidance states, among other things, that the following situations would not be subject to Section 503B’s wholesaling prohibition:

    * An outsourcing facility distributes a drug it compounded (without obtaining a patient-specific prescription) to a health care professional who administers it in a health care setting (e.g., in a hospital or the physician’s office)

    * An outsourcing facility distributes a drug it compounded (without obtaining a patient-specific prescription) to a hospital or health system, health clinic, or physician’s office, and it is administered within that hospital or health system, health clinic, or physician’s office.

    * An outsourcing facility distributes a drug it compounded (without obtaining a patient-specific prescription) to a hospital or health system, health clinic, or physician’s office where it is used as office stock to dispense to patients pursuant to prescriptions.

    * An outsourcing facility distributes a drug it compounded to a state-licensed pharmacy, federal facility, or licensing physician, which subsequently dispenses the drug pursuant to a prescription.

    The draft guidance is found here: https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/prohibition-wholesaling-under-section-503b-federal-food-drug-and-cosmetic-act. The title page of the draft guidance contains instructions to submit comments and suggestions within 60 days.

  • DISPENSING OPTOMETRIST REGISTRATION SYSTEM OPEN EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2024

    FEBRUARY 27, 2024

    Optometrists may now register with the NC Board of Pharmacy to dispense certain prescription drugs. G.S. § 90-127.4. Dispensing optometrists may dispense prescription drugs to their own patients only for the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal conditions of the eye and its adnexa. G.S. § 90-127.4(a) & (c). Dispensing optometrists may not compound medications, nor may they dispense controlled substances. G.S. § 90-127.4(a).

    Dispensing optometrists must register with the Board of Pharmacy prior to beginning dispensing activities and must renew that registration annually. G.S. § 90-85.26B. The initial registration fee is $75, as is the annual renewal fee. G.S. § 90-85.24(a)(20).

    A dispensing optometrist must comply in all respects with relevant laws and regulations that apply to pharmacists governing the distribution of drugs, including packaging, labeling, and record keeping. G.S. § 90-85.26B. The Board of Pharmacy may discipline a dispensing optometrist’s registration for violation of these laws and regulations. The Board of Optometry may discipline an optometrist’s license to practice optometry. G.S. § 90-85.25B.

    Step-by-step instructions for completing a dispensing optometrist registration are found here.

  • NC DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES ISSUES UPDATED COVID TREATMENT MEMO

    MARCH 11, 2024

    Today (March 11, 2024), NC DHHS issued an updated COVID-19 treatment provider memo. Included in this memo is a reminder that EUA-labeled Paxlovid is no longer authorized for use, information about PAXCESS – a program that can help patients with financial barriers obtain Paxlovid, an update on clinical data on the efficacy of antiviral treatments, and a note on the large portion of the North Carolina population considered high risk based on age or health conditions. The memo is found here.

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