Iowa Board of Pharmacy Rule Changes Taking Effect on January 23

• By: IPA
• On: 01/18/2019 10:24:15
• In: Iowa Pharmacy News
• Comments: 0

The following rule changes from the Iowa Board of Pharmacy will take effect on January 23, 2019:
 
Dispensing and electronic transfer of prescriptions by pharmacy technicians (657—3.21, 3.22(1), 3.23, 6.7, 6.9): These amendments allow a certified pharmacy technician to transfer a prescription for a noncontrolled substance to another pharmacy or to receive a prescription transfer for a noncontrolled substance from another pharmacy, allow a technician to dispense a verified prescription which has been deemed to not require counseling to a patient while the pharmacist is on a break, and simplify rule language relating to the electronic transfer of prescriptions in anticipation of enhanced technologies in pharmacy software system capabilities.
 
Board membership and responsibilities, amendments (657—Chapter 1): The amendment allows the Board to designate a pool of up to seven alternate board members to hear contested case hearings when needed; add a certified pharmacy technician to the composition of the Board; update the definitions of wholesale distributors and limited distributors; and define third-party logistics providers.
 
Wholesale distributor licenses (657—Chapter 17): The revised chapter establishes the minimum standards for wholesale distributor licenses and addresses the following topics: licensure and renewal processes; grounds for denial of licensure; required policies and procedures; requirements of facilities, security, and storage; reporting of discipline and convictions; and grounds for discipline.
 
Limited distributor licenses (657—Chapter 42): This new chapter establishes the minimum standards for entities that are engaged in the distribution of prescription drugs and devices but that do not meet the definition of a wholesale distributor. The rules address licensure and renewal processes, grounds for licensure denial, required policies and procedures, facility and operation requirements, records requirements, reporting of discipline or convictions, and grounds for discipline.
 
Third-party logistics provider licenses (657—Chapter 43): This new chapter establishes the minimum standards for entities engaged in third-party logistics of prescription drugs and devices as established in the Drug Supply Chain Security Act, enacted by Congress in November 2013. The rules address licensure and renewal processes, required policies and procedures, required reporting of discipline and convictions, and grounds for disciplinary action.