Quarterly Newsletter

In This Issue Executive Director........................................1-3           Letter from Board President.........................4-5           New Commissioners........................................5           Crush or Not to Crush...................................6-7           Vaccination.......................................................7           Call for Submissions........................................7           Disciplinary Actions.....................................8-9           Inspection Issues..............................................9           NABP News................................................9-11          The Mission of the Maryland Board of Pharmacy is to protect Maryland consumers and to promote quality health care in the field of pharmacy through licensing pharmacists and registering pharmacy technicians and student interns, issuing permits to pharmacies and distributors, setting pharmacy practice standards and through developing and enforcing regulations and legislation, resolving complaints, and educating the public.

To access full newsletter, please click "Quarterly Newsletter" above

Executive Director's Address: In The Age of COVID-19

Deena Speights-Napata, Executive Director

During this uncertain season of unknown outcomes and far too little security, the Maryland Board of Pharmacy wants all of our licensees and customers to know that we are committed to you. Throughout the past month the board has proactively addressed the hundreds of phone calls, emails, and letters we’ve received from pharmacists, technicians, physicians, politicians, health care financing groups, insurers, health administrators, and lobbyists concerning COVID-19 questions and concerns you have brought to our attention.

The board has effectively used its small committee structure and public board arena to address the issues that matter to you.  We’ve literally spent hours hashing over issues being addressed for the first time ever; lunches haven’t been eaten, children haven’t been played with, and many of us have been putting in lots of overtime to provide you with what you need...answers.  Today this column is dedicated to those we thank for asking us good questions that make us work even harder to provide good practical solutions. 

Here are some of our answers….

Read more on Page 1 of the Newsletter

A Proud Time for Pharmacy

Kevin Morgan, Board President

Dear Pharmacists, Technicians, and Board of Pharmacy Staff,

The last day that I was at the Board of Pharmacy office was on March 13^th, which honestly feels like a year ago.  Since that date everything has changed.

I am beyond amazed seeing what pharmacists and technicians are doing in the face of these most challenging times. Circumstances that none of us have ever seen before, or could have predicted, have our professionals working right on the frontlines. They are not only doing what they were trained to do as a health care professional, but literally standing as essential pillars in our communities. As businesses, organizations, and events are closed/cancelled and rescheduled, we have heard from our government leaders that pharmacies are vital to providing crucial medications and services to society during this COVID-19 pandemic.  

Read more on Page 4 of the newsletter

Drug Administration Practices: To Crush or Not To Crush?

Tenielle Watkins, PharmD and Ellen H.Yankellow, PharmD

The Continuing Education Breakfast took place at the Sheraton in Towson, on a rainy October morning. Braving the weather were 400 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who attended in person, with approximately 200 attendees via webinar. Attendees received four ACPE-accredited continuing education credits, along with breakfast. An introduction to the event was given by Deena Speights-Napata, Executive Director.

Read more on Page 6 of the Newsletter