Oregon Board of Pharmacy
COVID-19 UPDATE - February 16, 2022
Safe Pharmacy Practice Conditions
Board of Pharmacy Statement
On 2/11/2022, the Oregon Board of Pharmacy issued a statement concerning providing safe pharmacy practice conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Licensee Survey
The Board of Pharmacy requests licensee feedback on current pharmacy practice conditions. As noted in the statement linked above, the board has received several reports regarding workplace issues and has become concerned about the possibility of conditions that may potentially have a negative impact on patient safety. The board is very interested in hearing from all licensees on this issue. A brief survey (~6 minutes) was developed by the board and the board's Safe Pharmacy Practice Conditions Workgroup. No identifying information will be collected (e.g. IP address) or available to the Board through the survey. The survey information will be accumulated and analyzed by the board and the Safe Pharmacy Practice Conditions Workgroup for future policy discussion and input on proposed rules. Please complete the survey linked here by 3/2/2022.
Temporary Rules Adopted
- Pharmacy Technician (PT) and Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician (COPT)
On 2/11/2022, the board adopted temporary rule amendments to assist in alleviating the shortage of licensed personnel remove barriers to licensure of PTs and COPTs by clarifying licensure qualifications, the elements of a complete application and the requirements for renewal/reinstatement. The rules also allow a PT to renew or reinstate their license. As a result, the PT licensee must pay the workforce data collection fee and complete biennial CPE requirements.
Later this week, these rules will also be noticed as permanent rules for public rulemaking comment.
- Permanent Pharmacy Closures
On 2/11/2022, the board adopted a temporary rule regarding Permanent Pharmacy Closures. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in permanent pharmacy closures. Registrants need clear direction on orderly disposition of prescription and non-prescription drugs, devices, related supplies, and pharmacy records when a pharmacy permanently closes. Patients and healthcare providers need to be able to access medications prior to a permanent closure and locate prescription records after a pharmacy closure. The proposed rule provides a list of items that must be completed prior to, on the date of or within 24 hours and within 30 calendar days of the permanent pharmacy closure.
These rules will be noticed for public rulemaking comment after the April board meeting.
COVID-19 Updates from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA)
Updated OHA COVID-19 Vaccine Protocol
On 2/15/2022, the OHA Public Health Division Immunization Program updated the COVID-19 Vaccine Pharmacy Protocol for Immunization to include:
- For patients who are immunocompromised only, the interval between the final dose in an mRNA primary series and the recommended booster dose has been shortened from 5 months to 3 months.
- For patients who are immunocompromised and received Janssen vaccine only, an additional dose of mRNA vaccine has been added to the primary series. Patients are recommended to receive an additional dose of an mRNA vaccine at least 28 days after dose one. This additional primary dose should be followed by a booster dose of any vaccine at least 2 months after the second primary dose.
- CDC has removed a deferral period for vaccination in patients who recently received passive antibody products. These patients may be vaccinated immediately, except that prophylaxis with tixagevimab/cilgavimab (EVUSHELD™) should be deferred for at least 2 weeks after vaccination.
Postponed: Authorization of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for 6 Months to 4 Years
On 2/11/2022, the FDA announced they have postponed the scheduled advisory committee meeting to discuss the request for authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months through 4 years to allow more time to evaluate additional data, including the ongoing evaluation of a third dose. Please see FDA’s press release.
Updated: Masking Requirements
On 2/7/2022, OHA announced that it will lift the indoor mask requirements for the general public no later than March 31, 2022. OHA has no current plans to lift mask requirements in health care settings (which includes pharmacies) as outlined in OAR 333-019-1011. OAR 333-019-1011 also includes that patients, residents and clients must wear a face covering when entering, exiting, or in a health care setting. Additional resources are available at:
- OHA Mask webpage
- OHA Mask FAQ (translations in process)
Clarification Regarding Interns: Ending Operational Allowances Granted Early in the Pandemic/Public Health Emergency
On 9/24/2021, the board communicated that some PHE operational allowances would cease to be effective 12/31/2021, which included the delay of lapsed CPR certification renewal for vaccine-certified pharmacists. It was the intention of the board to include vaccine-certified interns to this allowance sunset. While interns were not included in this allowance, it is expected that all immunizing pharmacists and interns must have an active CPR certification to administer vaccines per OAR 855-019-0270.
Joe Schnabel, Pharm.D, R.Ph.
Executive Director, Oregon Board of Pharmacy
2/16/2022
The Oregon Board of Pharmacy serves to promote and protect public health,
safety and welfare by ensuring high standards in the practice of pharmacy and through effective regulation of the manufacture and distribution of drugs.
oregon.gov/pharmacy
The Oregon Board of Pharmacy is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to a diverse work force.
We respect, reflect and respond to the diverse people we serve.
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