TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING

BOARD OF PHARMACY

Notice of Intended Regulatory Action

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. The purpose of the proposed action is to conform the regulation to requirements of Chapter 628 of the 2022 Acts of Assembly related to work environments for pharmacy personnel that protect the health, safety, and welfare of patients. The proposed amendments will ensure (i) that the decisions of the pharmacist are not overridden by the pharmacy permit holder, including staffing decisions and the decision of whether pharmacy staff can safely provide vaccines at a given time; (ii) that pharmacy permit holders provide sufficient staffing levels to avoid interference with a pharmacist's ability to practice with reasonable competence and safety; (iii) that a pharmacist and pharmacy personnel are provided with proper and functioning equipment; (iv) pharmacists and pharmacy staff are not burdened with external factors that may inhibit the ability to provide services to the public; (v) staff are properly trained to provide the services with which they are tasked; (vi) pharmacists are provided appropriate breaks while maintaining drug stock integrity and providing required consultation services to the public; (vii) ensure pharmacists are provided adequate time to perform professional duties; and (viii) the establishment of a reporting mechanism for staffing concerns.

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: November 22, 2023.

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.