Board of Pharmacy public meetings in 2020
8 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of Pharmacy
The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy will meet to consider a proposed budget for fiscal year 2021-2022 and several policy revisions, including new cybersecurity awareness requirements, updates to criminal background checks, and a statement on dispensing cannabidiol (Epidiolex). The board will also vote on numerous voluntary consent agreements in disciplinary cases involving pharmacies and individuals, and hold its annual election of officers.
- Consideration of proposed budget for fiscal year 2021-2022
- Consideration of proposed new cybersecurity awareness policy (PPM.II.D.1.g)
- Consideration of proposed revision of criminal background checks policy (PPM.III.J)
- Consideration of proposed statement on dispensing cannabidiol (Epidiolex)
- Consideration of voluntary consent agreements in disciplinary cases, including CVS Pharmacy (Haughton, Monroe, West Monroe) and Walgreens (Hammond)
The Board voted to postpone the January 1, 2021 enforcement date for USP Chapter 800 hazardous drug handling standards to an undetermined future date. Other actions included approving the FY 2021-2022 budget and transitioning all credentials to a virtual format. The Board also processed numerous disciplinary consent agreements and license reinstatements.
- Delayed enforcement of USP Chapter 800 hazardous drug standards (unanimous)
- Approved Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 (unanimous)
- Authorized transition of all credentials to virtual format (unanimous)
- Suspended certificate of Markella Ann Wyre and assessed $500 fine (unanimous)
- Approved 15-mile exclusion zone waiver for Genoa Pharmacy (unanimous)
- Approved $45,000 fine for Institutional Pharmacies of Louisiana, LLC (unanimous)
- Approved $10,000 fine for Louisiana CVS Pharmacy No. 4068 (unanimous)
- Issued PMP reporting waivers to 20 pharmacies (unanimous)
Board of Pharmacy
The Board of Pharmacy will meet via videoconference to consider several voluntary consent agreements regarding pharmacy violations. The agenda also includes reviews of budget amendments, pharmacist technician staffing ratios, and marijuana product labeling regulations.
- Proposed voluntary consent agreements for Walgreen Pharmacy locations in Lafayette and New Iberia
- Proposed voluntary consent agreement for CVS Pharmacy No. 5344 in Monroe
- Consideration of regulatory proposals regarding marijuana product labeling and delivery
- Review of proposed budget amendment No. 1 for FY 2020-2021
- Discussion of staffing ratios for pharmacy technicians
The Board approved several new rules regarding marijuana product delivery, labeling, and hemp facility licensing. It also ratified 22 voluntary consent agreements involving fines, suspensions, and revocations for pharmacies and technicians. Additionally, the Board approved the FY 2019-2020 Final Report and the FY 2020-2021 Budget Amendment No. 1.
- Approved FY 2019-2020 Final Report and FY 2020-2021 Budget Amendment No. 1 (Unanimous)
- Approved 14 voluntary consent agreements, including a $60,000 fine for Louisiana CVS Pharmacy No. 5344 (Unanimous)
- Approved 8 additional consent agreements, including revocations for Tabitha Danielle Hatfield and Cindy Stevens Rodrigue (Unanimous)
- Denied Regulatory Proposal 454-2019-03 regarding medication administration (Majority negative)
- Rejected Regulatory Proposal 454-2019-13 regarding pharmacy technician staffing ratios (Unanimous)
- Approved rules for delivery of dispensed marijuana products and marijuana product labeling (Unanimous)
- Approved Regulatory Proposal 2020-D for CDS Licenses for Hemp Facilities (Unanimous)
- Renewed agreement with Metrc for Medical Marijuana Tracking System access, not to exceed $1,200 (Unanimous)
Board of Pharmacy
The Board of Pharmacy will hold a special meeting via videoconference on July 28, 2020. The primary focus is the consideration of Regulatory Proposal 2020-N regarding marijuana recommendations and an accompanying declaration of emergency.
- Regulatory Proposal 2020-N: Marijuana Recommendations (Draft #2)
- Consideration of a Declaration of Emergency
- Review of draft minutes from the June 25 meeting
The Board approved Regulatory Proposal 2020-N regarding marijuana recommendations to align with Act 286 of the 2020 Legislature. The proposal was adopted as an emergency rule to ensure it becomes effective on August 1, 2020.
- Approved Regulatory Proposal 2020-N ~ Marijuana Recommendations (Draft #2) (Unanimous)
- Approved Declaration of Emergency for Regulatory Proposal 2020-N to be effective August 1, 2020 (Unanimous)
- Approved draft minutes from June 25 meeting
- Ratified actions taken by Board officers, committees, and Executive Director since June 25, 2020 (Unanimous)
Board of Pharmacy
The Board will consider two proposed emergency rules: one allowing temporary permission to practice and another temporarily suspending renewal fees. They will also review legislation from the 2020 Regular Session and consider public comments on regulatory projects including the Prescription Monitoring Program, Automated Medication Systems, and Marijuana Pharmacy. Additionally, the Board will vote on approving an immunization training certificate program for pharmacists.
- Consideration of Proposed Emergency Rules: Temporary Permission to Practice (Regulatory Proposal 2020-E) and Temporary Suspension of Renewal Fees (Regulatory Proposal 2020-F)
- Request for Approval of Immunization Administration Training for Pharmacists (CEimpact)
- Review of Legislation from 2020 Regular Session
- Consideration of Comments & Testimony on Regulatory Projects: Prescription Monitoring Program, Automated Medication Systems, Pharmacist License Display, and Marijuana Pharmacy
- Consideration of Continued Recognition of NABP Passport
The Board approved an emergency rule to temporarily suspend license renewal fees, which is estimated to waive approximately $303,260 in collections for fiscal year 2020-2021. The Board also voted to extend the recognition of the NABP Passport through July 31, 2020.
- Approved temporary suspension of license renewal fees (majority vote)
- Approved Immunization Administration Training for Pharmacists via CEImpact (unanimous)
- Accepted 2020 Regular Session Legislative Brief and directed implementation of action plans (unanimable)
- Amended Prescription Monitoring Program rule to remove specific hepatitis drugs from 'drugs of concern' list (majority vote)
- Approved no revisions to Pharmacist License Display proposed rule (unanimous)
- Approved no revisions to Marijuana Pharmacy proposed rule (majority vote)
- Extended recognition of NABP Passport through July 31, 2020 (unanimous)
- Denied Regulatory Proposal 2020-E regarding temporary permission to practice (unanimous)
Board of Pharmacy
The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy will meet via videoconference to consider routine business including approval of minutes, committee reports, and a proposed budget amendment for fiscal year 2019-2020. The board will also review revisions to its policy and procedure manual, renew contracts for legal, accounting, and technology services, and consider numerous voluntary consent agreements and surrenders in disciplinary cases. A quarterly report on the Prescription Monitoring Program and waiver requests will be presented.
- Consideration of Proposed Budget Amendment No. 2 for Fiscal Year 2019-2020
- Proposed revisions to PPM sections on sexual harassment and discrimination procedures
- Renewal of contracts for professional legal services (Celia R. Cangelosi; Shows, Cali & Walsh), accounting (Champagne & Company), eLicense system (Tyler Technologies), and PMP operation (Appriss, Inc.)
- Consideration of 23 voluntary consent agreements and surrenders in disciplinary cases (e.g., Case No. 20-0034, 20-0076, etc.)
- Quarterly report on Prescription Monitoring Program and consideration of waiver requests
The Board approved several service contracts, including legal and accounting agreements, and ratified multiple disciplinary measures against pharmacy professionals. The Board also authorized the renewal of certain pharmacy technician training programs and approved budget amendments for the fiscal year.
- Approved Proposed Budget Amendment No. 2 for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 (unanimous)
- Approved voluntary consent agreement with Todd Michael Durham (unanimous)
- Approved Dr. Sreelatha Pulakhandam to affiliate with the Practitioner Recovery Program (unanimous)
- Approved revisions to sexual harassment and record retention policies (unanimous)
- Approved contract for legal services with Celia R. Cangelosi not to exceed $100,000 (unanimous)
- Approved contract for accounting services with Champagne & Company, LLC not to exceed $32,000 (unanimous)
- Approved agreement with Appriss, Inc. for prescription monitoring program operation not to exceed $215,000 (unanimous)
- Tabled renewal of product identification module in Medical Marijuana Tracking System (unanimous)
Board of Pharmacy
The Board of Pharmacy is meeting via teleconference to consider requests for declaratory statements and guidance clarifications. The agenda includes reviewing waiver requests for nonresident pharmacies and DME providers, as well as discussing continuing education requirements.
- Request for statement on whether pharmacists may collect nasopharyngeal specimens via swab
- Waiver request from Morris Apothecary, LLC (Apotheco Pharmacy) to ship medications to the state
- One-year DME licensure waiver request from Expedite, LLC (Oxyensure)
- Consideration of 2020-2021 pharmacy technician and pharmacist renewal education requirements
- Petition for modification of previous order in Case No. 20-0113 regarding William Coleman Honeycutt
The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy approved several temporary waivers and denied two permit requests during its April 2, 2020, teleconference. Key decisions included relaxing supervision requirements for pharmacy staffing and removing certain restrictions on a previous board order.
- Waived live continuing education requirement for 2021 pharmacist license renewals (unanimous)
- Waived 'on-site' requirement for pharmacist supervision until Sept. 30, 2020, or end of COVID-19 emergency (unanimous)
- Denied pharmacy permit waiver request for Morris Apothecary, LLC (unanimous)
- Denied DME licensure waiver request for Expedite, LLC (unanimous)
- Removed appointment restriction for William Coleman Honeycutt (unanimous)
- Deferred decision on whether pharmacists may collect nasopharyngeal specimens (majority)
- Determined remote processing guidance does not apply to personnel licensed by other states
- Directed educational institutions to consult accreditation organizations regarding simulation requirements
Board of Pharmacy
The Board of Pharmacy will conduct a meeting via teleconference to address several special orders. The agenda includes requests for reconsideration of an emergency rule, reviews of credentialing waivers, and requests for flexible staffing ratios.
- Request for Reconsideration of Emergency Rule
- Review of Credentialing Waivers
- Request for Flexible Staffing Ratios
The Board of Pharmacy approved a guidance document regarding the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine. The Board also authorized temporary flexible staffing ratios for pharmacies.
- Approved restructured guidance document for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine (unanimous)
- Authorized temporary flexible staffing ratios allowing one pharmacist to supervise up to four interns or technicians (unanimous)
- Confirmed extension of credential expiration dates to September 30, 2020
- Ratified President's decision to close the office building to visitors
- Ratified President's decision to reduce office staff to essential personnel
Board of Pharmacy
The Board will consider several regulatory proposals, including updates on marijuana pharmacies and drugs of concern. The meeting also includes the consideration of voluntary consent agreements for various pharmacies and pharmacists.
- Consideration of eight proposed voluntary consent agreements involving pharmacies in Pineville, Baton Rouge, Pensacola, New Orleans, and Maurepas
- Review of regulatory proposals regarding marijuana pharmacies and drugs of concern
- Discussion of pharmacy intern staffing ratios and technician practical experience requirements
- Presentation of Pharmacist Gold Certificates to Steve Vincent Campo and Reuben Rufus Dixon, Jr.
- Consideration of voluntary consent agreements and surrenders for several individual licensees
The Board approved a new regulatory framework to license pharmacy benefit managers, including a $500 application fee and $500 annual renewal fee. Members also advanced 18 regulatory projects and two legislative proposals regarding pharmacist prescriptive authority and controlled substances. Multiple disciplinary actions were finalized, including fines and license revocations.
- Approved Regulatory Proposal 2019-G to license pharmacy benefit managers (unanimous)
- Approved $500 initial and $500 renewal fees for PBM permits, plus $250 delinquent fee (unanimous)
- Approved Legislative Proposal 2020-C for limited pharmacist prescriptive authority (unanimous)
- Approved Legislative Proposal 2020-B to update state controlled substance laws (unanimous)
- Fined Walgreen Pharmacy No. 09526 $25,000 and Walgreen Pharmacies No. 02980 and 02995 $10,000 each (unanimous)
- Revoked registrations for Ashley Keelen Ferdinand and Kayla Christine Sibley (unanimous)
- Approved Regulatory Proposal 2020-A to repeal marijuana pharmacy dispensing limits (unanimous)
- Rejected proposals to reduce pharmacy intern staffing ratios and technician experience hours (unanimous)