Print This Article

Board of Pharmacy Update
Highlights of the May Meeting

by Scott A. Meyers, Executive Vice President

NABP Annual Meeting – The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy conducted its Annual Meeting in Denver on May 5-8, 2018.  Yash Patel served as the Illinois Delegate to the meeting with Al Carter serving as first alternate and Denise Scarpelli as second alternate.  Hot topics of discussion and education included the opioid crisis, medical marijuana, technology including the use of social media by Boards of Pharmacy and USP compounding standards.

2018 District IV Meeting – Will be held in Grand Rapids, MI and hosted by Ferris State University College of Pharmacy and the Michigan Board of Pharmacy on November 7-9, 2018. 

Department Update – Compounding rules comments are being reviewed for final publication and approval by JCAR.  There is no specific date for approval at this time.

The license renewal process is nearly complete for pharmacists and pharmacies with over 90% of both received, however only approximately 69% of pharmacy technician renewals have been completed at the time of the meeting which appears to be low.  There was no identified reason yet.  Now would be a good time for all Pharmacists-In-Charge (PICs) to check to make sure their technicians have current licenses.  Those without one should not be allowed to work, as the PIC will be disciplined also.

Legislative Update – The May Board Meeting update was scheduled to be presented by IPhA Executive Director, Garth Reynolds.  However, he stayed in Springfield to testify on HB3479, so I provided this month’s update.  The Spring Session of the General Assembly is well underway and there are a variety of bills impacting pharmacy.  Several bills address the opioid crisis by amending the Controlled Substance Act.  These and all the bills ICHP is monitoring are discussed in the Government Affairs Report in this issue of KeePosted.

Next Meeting – The next meeting of the Board is set for July 10, 2018 to begin at 10:30 am in the James R. Thompson Center at Randolph and LaSalle in downtown Chicago. These meetings are open to the public and pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy students are encouraged to attend.