Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Board of Pharmacy intends to consider amending 18VAC110-20, Regulations Governing the Practice of Pharmacy and 18VAC110-21, Regulations Governing the Licensure of Pharmacists and Registration of Pharmacy Technicians. The purpose of the proposed action is to add drugs and devices that may be initiated by a pharmacist and the authority to dispense controlled paraphernalia or other supplies or equipment to 18VAC110-21-46, a section newly added to the Virginia Administrative Code through an emergency regulatory action in 2020. The planned amendments (i) define drugs, devices, and controlled paraphernalia pursuant to applicable statute; (ii) add "other supplies and equipment available over-the-counter, covered by the patient's health carrier when the patient's out-of-pocket cost is lower than the out-of-pocket cost to purchase an over-the-counter equivalent of the same drug, device, controlled paraphernalia, or other supplies or equipment"; (iii) include on the list vaccines on the Immunization Schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or that have a current emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; (iv) include on the list tuberculin purified protein derivative for tuberculosis testing; and (v) include on the list controlled substances for the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus, including controlled substances prescribed for pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis pursuant to guidelines and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The amendments meet the requirements of Chapter 214 of the 2021 Acts of the Assembly, Special Session I.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3307 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: February 16, 2022.

Agency Contact: Caroline Juran, RPh, Executive Director, Board of Pharmacy, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233-1463, telephone (804) 367-4456, FAX (804) 527-4472, or email caroline.juran@dhp.virginia.gov.