C A L I F O R N I A S TAT E B OA R D O F P H A R M AC Y

THE SCRIPT
MARCH 2019

BE AWARE & TAKE CARE: Talk to your pharmacist!

Contents New year brings changes
• New pharmacy laws ...............1
• President’s message...............2
• Board advises pharmacists in pharmacy laws for 2019
on AB 1753 requirements
for new security prescription
forms............................................2
• FAQs about AB 1753 rules for
new security prescriptions
forms ...........................................3
• AB 2760 requires prescribers
to ofer naloxone with opioid
prescriptions.............................7
• SB 1109 requires warning on
opioid label, container ..........7
• Regulation limits immediate-
use compounding ..................8
• Renew TCH license online....8
• Pharmacists must sign for
drug deliveries .........................9
• Graduates starting residency
programs can expedite exam
application process ................9
• Owners of multiple licensed
facilities must disseminate Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed website at www.pharmacy.
subscriber alerts to all ....... 10 a variety of Assembly and Senate ca.gov.
• Board adopts policy on bills that change laws governing
the practice of pharmacy in AB 2086 (Gallagher) Controlled
providing MAT as part of
California. Unless specifed Substances: CURES Database
health care team .................. 11
• Board adopts policy on otherwise, the new laws took
(Chapter 274, Statutes of 2018)
voluntary warnings for oral efect Jan. 1, 2019.
chemotherapy drugs.......... 11 This law allows a prescriber
• Check self-assessment Many of the key changes are
to request a list of patients
forms for answers to legal paraphrased or summarized
for whom he or she is listed
questions ............................... 11 below. Click on the bill number
as a prescriber in the CURES
• Pharmacists urged to give to read the full text of a bill. To
database.
prenatal fu shots ................. 12 read a compilation of specifc
• New Compounding new statutes authorized by AB 2783 (O’Donnell) Controlled
Committee meets ................ 13 the bills in the Business and Substances: Hydrocodone
• Board recognizes 50-year Professions Code (BPC) and the Combination Products:
pharmacists............................ 13 Health and Safety Code (HSC), Schedules
• Board meeting dates .......... 14 visit the Board of Pharmacy
See New laws, Page 4
 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
you will be informed of all the By reacting quickly to this
new changes that are taking new development, the
place – particularly AB 1753, board demonstrates to all
which involves the changes to licensees our commitment
security prescription forms. to public input and needs.
We encourage all of you
During the Enforcement to participate in this
Committee meeting in process. There are also
December 2018, the board some common FAQs on the
had already discovered board’s website that answer
certain issues involving your questions. In addition,
the implementation of AB you can call the board
1753. Since then, the interim telephone number at (916)
executive ofcer, Anne 574-7900 on Tuesdays and
Sodergren, has worked closely Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30
with the Medical Board of p.m. to ask questions of a
California and the California board inspector.
Department of Justice. A joint
statement was released January Please read this issue of the
By Victor Law, RPh
10, 2019, to address fears and newsletter carefully and inform
President, Board of Pharmacy concerns of all the pharmacists your colleagues and students to
and prescribers. The board do the same. Keep everybody
Every January many new wants to make sure that a informed. I wish all of you a
pharmacy laws go into efect, patient’s access to controlled healthy and prosperous Happy
and 2019 is no exception. So substances is not compromised. New Year.
in this issue of the newsletter,

AB 1753 requires new security prescription forms

During a six-month transition be reported to CURES. with a noncompliant security
period or until legislation prescription form:
changing the requirements is Not all prescribers have been
enacted, the Board of Pharmacy able to obtain access to the In this circumstance, the
is advising pharmacists to new security prescription forms Enforcement Committee
exercise professional judgment required by AB 1763. However, has recommended to the
in determining whether to fll the new law does not include board and to the executive
prescriptions for controlled grandfather provisions or ofcer that prior to July 1,
substances written on forms that provide for a transition period to 2019, the board not make
do not yet comply with changes allow for the use of pre-existing an enforcement priority
required by AB 1753, which took security prescription forms after any investigation or action
efect January 1, 2019. January 1, 2019. As a result, some against a pharmacist who,
pharmacists have been caught in the exercise of his or her
AB 1753 (Low, Chapter 794, in a difcult position having professional judgment,
Statutes of 2018) reduces the to decide between providing determines that it is in the
number of authorized security needed medication to patients best interest of patient
printers approved by the versus compliance with the law. or public health or safety
Department of Justice (DOJ). In to nonetheless fll such
addition, the new law requires In an efort to help licensees, the prescription.
security prescription forms for Board of Pharmacy on December
controlled substances to have 27, 2018, posted on its website In addition, the following
a unique serialized number an announcement advising materials have been posted
approved by the DOJ that must pharmacists who are presented See AB 1753, Page 7

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2 The Script - March 2019
FAQs about complying with new rules
for security prescriptions under AB 1753
1. Previous communications an identifying number assigned found using the following link:
have indicated that there to the approved printer by the https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/
is no transition period for Department of Justice. None publications/corresponding_
prescriptions written after of these numbers meet the responsibility.pdf.
January 1, 2019, without a requirement of the new law.
serial number. Who would The new serial number will be 4. Is the new uniquely
enforce provisions against a 15-digit alphanumeric serial serialized number required
dispensers that determine number in the following format: on e-scripts?
it is in the best interest of AAANNNNNNANNNNN.
the patient to dispense (A represents an alpha character, No, the requirement does not
a medication issued on a and N represents a numeral.) apply to e-scripts (computer
form that does not include to computer). Prescribers are
a serialized number? 3. I was presented with a encouraged to e-prescribe
controlled substance whenever possible.
The Enforcement Committee has prescription form that
recommended to the board and has a uniquely serialized 5. As a result of AB 1753,
to the executive ofcer that prior number printed on it that the information that
to July 1, 2019, the board not is consistent with the must be reported to
make an enforcement priority alphanumeric number CURES by a dispensing
any investigation or action format above, but I’m still pharmacy, clinic or other
against a pharmacist who, in the not sure the prescription dispenser was amended.
exercise of his or her professional form is compliant. Should I Health and Safety Code
judgment, determines that refuse to fll it? 11165(d)(11) states, “The
it is in the best interest of serial number for the
patient or public health or Always use your best corresponding prescription
safety to nonetheless fll such professional judgment when form, if applicable” must
prescription. flling prescriptions. However, be reported. Does “if
contacting the prescriber applicable” mean the serial
2. Many of the security to determine whether number must be reported
prescription forms printed the controlled substance only if it is present on the
prior to January 1, 2019, prescription form was printed form?
have a serialized number by an approved security printer
already printed on them. might assist you in determining No. A uniquely serialized
Are the forms compliant if if the form is legitimate. The number, in a manner prescribed
they contain a serialized approved list of security printers by the Department of Justice,
number, or is it a diferent can be found on the following must be present on all controlled
number? website: https://oag.ca.gov/ substance prescription forms.
security-printers/approved-list. “If applicable” refers to those
Prior to January 1, 2019, every exceptions in which a serial
batch of controlled substance You might also want to consider number would not be available:
prescription forms was required if any other red fags are present E-scripts, telephone or verbal
to have a lot number printed on when making your decision. prescriptions for Schedule III-V
the form, as well as a sequential The board’s corresponding
number. They also had to have responsibility brochure can be See AB 1753 FAQs, Page 6

The Script - March 2019

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3
 New laws
Continued from page 1

(Chapter 589, Statutes of 2018) from being installed, leased, owned or operated
in California unless specifc requirements are met.
This law reclassifes specifc hydrocodone Additionally, drugs can be stored for a period
combination products as Schedule II controlled of up to 48 hours in a secured room within the
substances, making California law consistent with ADDS location. The bill authorizes a pharmacy
federal law. inspector employed by the board to enter the
location or proposed location of an ADDS for
AB 2789 (Wood) Health Care Practitioners:
inspection pursuant to these provisions. Lastly, this
Prescriptions: Electronic Data Transmission
bill requires the board to report to the Legislature
(Chapter 438, Statutes of 2018) regarding the regulations of ADDS machines on
or before January 1, 2024, as part of the board’s
This law requires that all written prescriptions sunset evaluation process.
issued by licensed prescribers in California be
issued as electronic transmission prescriptions – AB 2138 (Chiu/Low) Licensing Boards: Denial
also known as e-prescriptions – by Jan. 1, 2022. of Application: Revocation or Suspension of
In addition, all pharmacies, pharmacists or other Licensure: Criminal Conviction
practitioners authorized to dispense or furnish
(Chapter 995, Statues of 2018)
a medication must have the ability to receive
e-prescriptions by Jan. 1, 2022. The law includes Efective July 1, 2020, this law places restrictions on
multiple exemptions. convictions, crime and other acts that the Board
of Pharmacy may consider in denying, revoking
SB 1447 (Hernandez) Pharmacy: Automated
or suspending a license. The law also requires the
Drug Delivery Systems
board to report denial summaries on its website; in
(Chapter 666, Statutes of 2018) addition, the website must include a list of crimes
that will be considered for denial and how those
AB 2037 (Bonta) Pharmacy: Automated Patient crimes substantially relate to the qualifcations,
Dispensing Systems functions or duties of the practice of pharmacy.
(Chapter 647, Statutes of 2018) AB 2859 (Caballero) Pharmacy: Safe Storage
Products
SB 1447 and AB 2037 establish requirements
for automated drug delivery system (ADDS) (Chapter 240, Statutes of 2018)
registration requirements with a licensing program
that recognizes the diferent uses for such a device. This law requires community pharmacies that
The measures establish defnitions for two diferent dispense Schedule II, III or IV controlled substances
types of ADDS devices: to display safe storage products on the premises
and close to the pharmacy. Pharmacies where a
• An automated unit dose system (AUDS) licensed pharmacist is the majority owner and
is an ADDS for storage and retrieval of manager of no more than four pharmacies are
unit doses of drugs for administration to exempt from this law. This law will remain in efect
patients by authorized persons. until Jan. 1, 2023.
• An automated patient dispensing system SB 212 (Jackson) Solid Waste: Pharmaceutical
(APDS) is an ADDS for storage and and Sharps Waste Stewardship
dispensing of prescribed drugs directly to
patients. (Chapter 1004, Statutes of 2018)

Efective July 1, 2019, SB 1447 prohibits an ADDS See New laws, Page 5

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4 The Script - March 2019
New laws
Continued from page 4

This law establishes a stewardship program to that another employee of either the pharmacy or
fund drug take-back programs and sharps disposal the establishment be made available to assist the
programs throughout California. Funding is to pharmacist at all times. The law provides some
be provided by covered entities (typically drug exceptions.
manufacturers or distributors). The law requires
CalRecycle to develop regulations governing the Laws related to health care coverage and
stewardship program by no later than Jan. 1, 2021. prescription drugs:
The law also requires the Board of Pharmacy to
AB 2863 (Nazarian) Health Care Coverage:
develop and maintain a list of all covered drugs
Prescriptions
sold in California. In addition, the board is required
to review each stewardship plan for compliance (Chapter 770, Statutes of 2018)
with federal and state laws governing drug take-
back programs. This law requires a pharmacy to inform the
consumer of the lower price of a covered
SB 1109 (Bates) Controlled Substances: medication – whether it is the retail price or the
Schedule II Drugs: Opioids cost-sharing amount – unless the pharmacy
automatically charges the lower amount. The
(Chapter 693, Statutes of 2018)
pharmacy must submit the retail cost to the health
This law requires prescribers to complete care plan in the same manner as if the customer
continuing education on the hazards of opioid use. had paid the copay amount.
The law also requires a specifed warning notice be
AB 315 (Wood) Pharmacy Beneft Management
prominently displayed on the label or container of
an opioid dispense to a patient for outpatient use. (Chapter 905, Statutes of 2018)
SB 1254 (Stone) Hospital Pharmacies: This law requires a pharmacy to inform the
Medication Profles or Lists for High-Risk customer at the point of sale whether the retail
Patients price of a covered prescription drug is lower
than the copay amount, unless the pharmacy
(Chapter 697, Statutes of 2018)
automatically charges the lower amount. The
This law requires a pharmacist at a hospital pharmacy must submit the retail cost to the health
pharmacy to obtain an accurate medication profle care plan in the same manner as if the customer
or list for each high-risk patient upon admission had paid the copay amount.
or discharge. Each hospital will establish criteria
SB 1021 (Wiener) Prescription Drugs
for determining whether a patient is high-risk.
The law allows for a pharmacy technician or intern (Chapter 787, Statutes of 2018)
pharmacist to perform the task if he or she has
successfully completed training and proctoring by This law extends provisions regarding drug
the pharmacy department or another healing arts formulary coverage. It requires a drug beneft plan
licensee issued a licensed pursuant to Division 2. to provide that if the pharmacy’s retail price for a
The board has authority to adopt regulations. prescription drug is less than the applicable copay
amount, the consumer shall not be required to pay
SB 1442 (Wiener) Community Pharmacies: more than the retail price.
Stafng
(Chapter 569, Statutes of 2018)
This law prohibits a community pharmacy from
requiring a pharmacist to work alone. It requires

The Script - March 2019

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 AB 1753 FAQs
Continued from page 6

controlled substances, faxed serialized number is not one of Only controlled substance
prescriptions, or prescriptions the elements of the form that is prescription forms written on
dispensed pursuant to HSC exempt under this section. or after January 1, 2019, must
sections 11159.2, 11167 or have the new serialized number
11167.5. 9. Providers have been asking printed on the controlled
me where they should substance prescription form.
6. Will the new controlled go to get new controlled
substance prescription substance prescription 12. How do we report the
forms have the new forms with the new new serialized number to
uniquely serialized serialized numbers. Where CURES?
number as well as all the can I direct them?
other numbers that were You should contact your
previously required (lot The approved list of security computer software vendor.
number, sequential number printers can be found on the You will need to ensure your
and number assigned to following website: https:// system has a way to transmit the
the security printer)? oag.ca.gov/security-printers/ 15-digit serialized number to
approved-list. CURES.
Yes.
10. If a controlled substance 13. If, based on my best
7. Can prescriptions for prescription was written judgment, I decide to fll
Schedule III through V in 2018 and has all the a controlled substance
controlled substances still elements of a compliant prescription that is
be phoned in or faxed to a prescription form, except compliant in ALL ways with
pharmacy? the new serialized number, the exception of the new
is it considered compliant? serialized number, will I get
Yes. There have been no legal in trouble with the DEA?
changes to the ability to phone Yes. Only controlled substance
in or fax prescriptions for prescriptions written on or after The change is in the California
Schedule III through V controlled January 1, 2019, must have the Health and Safety Code,
substances new serialized number printed not federal law. It is our
on the controlled substance understanding that the DEA
8. We print on controlled prescription form. Keep in mind enforces only federal law.
substances prescription that a controlled substances
forms from the emergency prescription may only be flled
department at our hospital within the frst six months of
pursuant to HSC 11162(c). issuance.
Do we create our own
serialized number? How do 11. If a Schedule III-V
we get serialized numbers controlled substances
on the secure paper? prescription with reflls was
initially flled in 2018, can
Your hospital must order it be reflled after January
new controlled substances 1, 2019, or do we need to
prescription forms for use by get a new prescription that
prescribers when treating contains the new serialized
patients in your facility. The number?

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6 The Script - March 2019
SB 1109 requires warning AB 1753
Continued from page 2

on opioid label, container on the Board of Pharmacy

website to help pharmacists
respond when presented
Efective Jan. 1, 2019, a new law Below is a sample notice: with noncompliant security
requires that a specifed warning prescription forms:
notice be prominently displayed Opioid. Risk of~
on the label or container of an overdose and addiction. • Joint Statement
opioid dispensed to a patient for from the California
outpatient use. Department of Justice,
In addition, SB 1109 requires California State Board
The new law, SB 1109 (Bates, prescribers to complete of Pharmacy, and
Chapter 693, Statutes of continuing education on the the Medical Board of
2018), requires the notice to hazards of opioid use. California Regarding
state: “Caution. Opioid. Risk of Secure Prescription
overdose and addiction.” The law Forms.
requires the notice be displayed
• Letter from
“by means of a fag or other
Assemblymember
notifcation mechanism attached
Low to Attorney
to the container.”
General regarding
Implementation of
Assembly Bill 1753.

Prescribers must ofer script • Changes to Security

Prescription Forms
for naloxone along with opioids Pursuant to AB 1753 -
FAQs.
the bill are present. In addition,
In the meantime, the
prescribers must provide to
Legislature is working on
the patient and his or her
legislation, AB 149, to provide
designee education on overdose
a formal transition period for
prevention and the use of
the new serialized number
naloxone or another similar drug
requirement for security
approved by the FDA.
prescription forms. The board
will provide updates about
AB 2760 requires prescribers to
additional changes in the law
ofer the naloxone prescription
Efective Jan. 1, 2019, AB 2760 through subscriber alerts and
to patients. The new law does
(Wood, Chapter 324, Statutes The Script newsletter.
not require patients to accept
of 2018) requires California the naloxone prescription or to
prescribers to ofer a prescription fll the prescription.
for naloxone hydrochloride
– or another drug approved Pharmacists are urged to read
by the U.S. Food and Drug frequently asked questions
Administration for complete about AB 2760 posted on the
or partial reversal of opioid Medical Board of California
depression – to a patient when website.
specifc circumstances listed in

The Script - March 2019

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7
 Immediate-use sterile compounding
is allowed for limited situations only
The immediate-use provision under California
Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 16, section
1751.8(e), is intended for limited situations only.
Subsection (e) states in part:

Such “immediate use” preparations shall be

compounded only in those limited situations
where there is a need for immediate
administration of a sterile preparation
compounded outside of an ISO class 5
environment and where failure to administer
could result in loss of life or intense sufering. • Unless immediately and completely
administered by the person who
Preparations compounded for immediate use must prepared it, or immediate and complete
also meet the following criteria: administration is witnessed by the preparer,
the CSP shall bear a label listing patient
• Only preparations defned by USP 797 identifcation information, the names and
as low-risk level shall be prepared as amounts of all ingredients, the name or
an immediate-use compounded sterile initials of the person who prepared the CSP,
product (CSP). and the exact one-hour BUD and time.
• The quantity of an immediate-use CSP
shall be only in the quantity to meet the The immediate-use provision for CSPs is NOT
immediate need, and the circumstance for intended to be used as a standard of practice
the need shall be documented. for compounding nonemergent sterile products
• The CSP shall be labeled “for immediate outside of an ISO class 5 environment. The
use only,” and administration shall begin no board encourages all licensees to review their
later than one hour following the start of compounding practices to ensure compliance with
the compounding process. CCR section 1751.8(e) as it pertains to immediate-
• If administration has not begun within one use compounding of sterile products.
hour following the start of preparing the
CSP, the CSP shall be promptly, properly
and safely discarded.

Pharmacy technicians can renew license online,

pay with credit card on board website
The California State Board of To verify when your license pharmacy.ca.gov. The direct
Pharmacy is excited to announce expires as well as if the board has link to renew your pharmacist
that you now have the option to your correct name and address technician license online is
renew your pharmacy technician of record, please click on “License https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/
license online at the board’s Search” under Verify a License on licensees/personal/tch.shtml.
website via credit card. the board’s home page, www.

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8 The Script - March 2019
Pharmacists must sign, receive drugs
delivered to pharmacy by wholesaler
and received by a pharmacist.” (Emphasis added.)

As referenced in BPC 4059.5(a), a pharmacist

must sign for and receive dangerous drugs and
dangerous devices delivered to a licensed premise.
However, the statute is silent as to what needs to
be signed by the pharmacist to confrm delivery.

In common practice, the licensed wholesaler

usually maintains a delivery slip or manifest of
drugs delivered to the pharmacy. In turn, the
pharmacy usually maintains a drug invoice
associated with each drug delivery/order.
A community pharmacy may receive drug stock
from a variety of ways, such as from a licensed
It is the delivery slip or manifest that is commonly
wholesaler or drug transfer from another
signed by the pharmacist to confrm receipt of
pharmacy. However, much confusion has arisen
delivered drugs to the licensed premise. The
over which pharmacy personnel may or may not
delivery slip or manifest may be presented as a
be authorized to sign for drug deliveries to the
paper or electronic document. The drug invoice
licensed premise.
does not necessarily have to be signed if a delivery
slip or manifest was signed by the pharmacist.
To be in full compliance with pharmacy law, refer
to Business and Professions Code (BPC) section
Each pharmacy operates diferently, and it is
4059.5(a), which states:
important to understand your individual facility’s
compliance with BPC 4059.5(a). Refer to B&PC
“Except as otherwise provided in this chapter,
4059.5 for exceptions and further pharmacy
dangerous drugs or dangerous devices may only be
practice considerations. When in doubt, consult
ordered by an entity licensed by the board and shall
your legal counsel for further direction.
be delivered to the licensed premises and signed for

Grads: Apply for exam ASAP if entering residency

During the peak of graduation programs in California are processing, attach a copy of
season at pharmacy schools, the required to get licensed as your residency acceptance letter
board receives more than 2,000 pharmacists within a few months to the front of the pharmacist
applications from graduates of starting a residency. Graduates examination application and the
seeking pharmacist licensure are encouraged to submit their intern pharmacist application
in California. This can increase applications for the pharmacist if you are applying for both
the time needed to process examination for licensure as soon licenses. This will help the board
applications for pharmacist as possible after being accepted issue an intern license timely and
exams. into a residency program. process the exam application
expeditiously.
The board is aware that To help identify you as a program
graduates entering residency resident and to facilitate

The Script - March 2019

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9
 All licensed facilities must receive alerts
California Business and Professions Code (BPC) BPC section 4013(c) requires owners of multiple
section 4013 requires any facility licensed by the facilities who choose to use an electronic notice
California State Board of Pharmacy to register and system to register an email address with the board
maintain a current email address with the board’s within 60 days of initial licensure. In addition, the
email notifcation system. owner must describe the type of electronic notice
system and must list all the facilities to which
For owners of multiple licensed facilities, the law immediate notices will be sent. The owner also
provides an alternative to registering a separate is required to update its email address with the
email address for each facility. BPC section 4013(c) board within 30 days of change of email address.
allows an owner of two or more licensed facilities
to register a single email address with the board if Owners of both single and multiple licensed
the owner maintains an electronic notice system facilities can register their email address online at
that immediately transmits board notifcations to the board’s email registration page. In addition,
all licensed facilities. pharmacists, intern pharmacists, pharmacy
technicians, designated representatives and
Owners who register a single email address are designated representatives-3PL also can sign up
reminded of their obligation to immediately online to receive email notices from the board, as
disseminate subscriber alerts from the board to required by BPC section 4013(d).
each licensed facility. This is essential to ensure
that important board notifcations reach each
licensed facility in timely manner.

Board adopts policy on pharmacists and MAT

At a January 30, 2019, meeting, the Board of 2. Initiate adjust and discontinue medications
Pharmacy adopted the following policy statement
3. Monitor patient progress
supporting changes in the law to permit
pharmacists to provide medication-assisted 4. Order and review necessary laboratory tests
treatment (MAT) as part of a collaborative health
5. Coordinate care with other medical
care team:
providers
California law declares pharmacist health care 6. Serve as expert consultants to support
providers who have authority and ability to prescribers in making medication decisions
provide health care services. Today pharmacists for patients.
have six to eight years of collegiate education with
focused experience in performing medication This skill set serves a dual purpose of positioning
management. Increasingly this also includes pharmacists so they may provide direct care to
additional residency experience. patients with opioid addiction and assist other
medical providers in caring for this population,
Under California law for a number of years thereby expanding access to treatment. In
and in conjunction with collaborative practice recognition of these factors, the California State
agreements with prescribers, pharmacists have the Board of Pharmacy advocates for changes in
ability to: the law that will permit pharmacists to provide
medication assisted treatment as part of a
1. Design treatment plans collaborative health care team.

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10 The Script - March 2019
Board policy supports hazard labels
on oral chemotherapy medications
The Board of Pharmacy encourages pharmacists provide specifc counseling to patients and their
to educate their patients about proper handling caregivers on proper handling and disposal of
and disposal of oral chemotherapy medications. oral chemotherapy medications.
At a meeting January 30, 2019, the board adopted
the following policy statement encouraging To help patients, caregivers and health care
pharmacists to afx a warning symbol to providers recognize these medications as
prescription labels for oral chemotherapy hazardous, the board encourages pharmacies
medications: to afx a standardized “hazardous drug” symbol
to prescription labels when appropriate. The
The California State Board of Pharmacy recognizes addition of the symbol would serve as an
that oral chemotherapy treatment is increasingly important reminder to patients and caregivers
common among cancer patients and health about the proper handling and disposal of the
care providers. However, these medications pose drugs.
serious risks to humans and the environment if
improperly handled or disposed of. Many patients, The following represents an appropriate warning
caregivers and even health care providers may symbol:
not recognize these drugs or be aware of their
hazardous nature.

The board supports voluntary eforts by

pharmacies and clinics to improve awareness and
education about oral chemotherapy medications.
In addition, the board encourages pharmacists to

Self-assessment forms answer legal questions

In the late 1990s, the board established Because of delays in rulemaking, the self-
requirements for community and hospital assessment form referenced in the regulation may
pharmacies to complete self-assessment not be current. To remedy this, drafts of updated
forms. Since then, assessment forms also have self-assessment forms are available.
been developed for wholesalers and sterile
compounding pharmacies. The board recommends using the draft forms to
obtain the best possible self-evaluation. However,
The forms provide a compilation of pharmacy law licensees cannot be required to use the newer
that can be used to assess pharmacy operations version until a formal regulation is adopted. Both
for compliance with laws and regulations. This current and draft versions can be found on the
self-evaluation can highlight areas needing board’s self-assessment forms webpage.
improvement and enable corrective actions.
If you have suggestions about laws that should be
Self-assessment forms contains references to
incorporated into self-assessment forms, please
specifc laws. If you have a pharmacy law question,
email Ask an Inspector at ask.inspector@dca.
there is good chance it can be answered by
ca.gov.
checking the self-assessment form.

The Script - March 2019

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 Prenatal vaccinations by pharmacists
help protect pregnant women, infants
against complications from infuenza
Pregnant women and their infants are vulnerable
to complications from infuenza, including
premature delivery, and are more likely to die or be
hospitalized than women who are not pregnant.

During the last six fu seasons, getting a fu shot

- =---=--=~~----==-
reduced a pregnant women’s risk of hospitalization
by an average of 40%.

Pharmacists can play a critical role in protecting

pregnant women and their babies from fu by:

• Making a strong recommendation: “I

strongly recommend you get the fu shot • Promoting these resources at your
today because it is the best way to protect pharmacy:
you and your baby against fu, which can o A Prenatal Tdap/Flu Vaccination Aisle
be very serious for you both. Flu can lead Violator (4”x 5”) (also available in
to pre-term birth, low birth weight, and Spanish) to place in key locations, such
stillbirth. That is why I recommend that all as in front of the prenatal vitamins.
o A template letter to send to prenatal
pregnant patients who visit our pharmacy
care providers in your database to
receive the fu shot.”
increase referrals to your pharmacy for
infuenza and Tdap vaccination (if they
• Encouraging routine immunization of don’t stock immunizations in the clinic).
pregnant women at your pharmacy. Talk o A fyer for pregnant patients reminding
to your manager about setting up fags them of the need for Tdap vaccination
in your pharmacy management system as early as possible between 27 and 36
to prompt pharmacists to ofer routine weeks gestation of each pregnancy, as
prenatal immunizations like infuenza well as fu vaccination.
and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
when a woman is picking up prenatal For more resources, visit the following: the
vitamins. Pharmacists can look up in the California Department of Public Health’s infuenza
California Immunization Registry for the vaccination materials page, pharmacy-based
patient’s immunization history immunization resources page, and the general
infuenza page. For prenatal Tdap information, visit
the CDC’s Pregnancy and Whooping Cough page.

www.pharmacy.ca.gov
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12 The Script - March 2019
New Compounding Committee meets,
hears about proposed changes to USP
policy issues Scheduled meetings in 2019 are:
for the board • March 13
related to drug • April 16
compounding, • June 4
including • July 1
the impact • Aug. 28
of proposed • Sept. 24
revisions to • Oct. 16
USP chapters.
Information about
The Compounding Committee
The Compounding Committee holds its frst meeting Compounding meetings can be found online
in Sacramento. Committee’s under “Board and Committee
frst four Meetings” at the Board of
The Board of Pharmacy’s
meetings are intended for staf Pharmacy website. People
newly created Compounding
to educate the committee interested in attending are
Committee held its frst meeting
members about proposed encouraged to review relevant
Feb. 20, 2019, in Sacramento.
changes to USP. The committee USP chapters at the USP website,
Formerly part of the Enforcement
then will consider what, if any, http://www.usp.org/, before the
and Compounding Committee,
changes should be made to committee meetings.
the new committee was
California pharmacy law.
established to focus on major

Board celebrates pharmacists serving for 50 years

The Board of Pharmacy honors pharmacists Ignarro, Angelo Michael Rancho Mirage, CA
licensed in California who have been on active Jones, Earl Richard Los Angeles, CA
status for at least 50 years. Their years of Kruger, Russel Clare Mandan, ND
contribution to the pharmacy profession are Lederman, Jay Lewis Stevenson Ranch, CA
gratefully acknowledged. Martin, William M. Heyworth, IL
Merjanian, Stephen Haverj Tarzana, CA
Pharmacists who recently received a certifcate Mertz, Sally Jo Upland, CA
commemorating 50 years of service and an Noonan, Walter Patrick Woodland Hills, CA
invitation to be publicly recognized at a board Palmieri, Rodney August Ashland, OR
meeting are: Peltzman, Robert Steven Thousand Oaks, CA
Prevost, Walter Jerome Los Angeles, CA
Adelman, Harold Maitlan Laughlin, NV Rudin, Howard Charles Mountain Center, CA
Amoth, George Milo De Afton, MN Shields, Lillian Marjori Santa Barbara, CA
Baughman, Clinton Irl Roseville, CA Tatro, David Sam San Carlos, CA
Cottam, Lonnie Barrett Bermuda Dunes, CA Thomas, Gary Edward Sacramento, CA
Dempsey, John Joseph Huntington Bech, CA Weierstall, Richard Paul Rouses Point, NY
George, William Albert Pacifca, CA Zodtner, Peter Jon Santa Barbara, CA
Gonzalez, Rosky Ann Lake Isabella, CA

The Script - March 2019

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13
 This newsletter is published by the

California State Board of Pharmacy

Department of Consumer Afairs
1625 N. Market Blvd., Suite N-219 Attend board, committee
Sacramento, CA 95834-1924
(916) 574-7900
Fax: (916) 574-8618
meetings to earn CE credit,
www.pharmacy.ca.gov
participate in public policy
BOARD MEMBERS
Want to learn about the Board license number, and time of arrival
Victor Law, R.Ph. of Pharmacy and participate in and departure.
President making policy? Attend a meeting!
Board meetings scheduled in
Greg Lippe, Public Member Information about all board and 2019:
Vice President committee meetings – including • March 22: California
dates, locations, agendas and Northstate University
materials that include background 9700 W. Taron Drive
Allen Schaad, R.Ph.
information for agenda items Elk Grove, CA 95757
Treasurer – is available at the Board of • May 7-8: location TBD
Pharmacy website. • June 21: location TBD
Ryan L. Brooks, Public Member • July 24-25: location TBD
Lavanza Butler, Pharm.D. Agendas for regular board • Sept. 13 : location TBD
Amjad Khan, Public Member meetings are posted at least • Nov. 5-6: location TBD
Shirley B. Kim, Public Member 10 days before each meeting. • Dec. 13: location TBD
Valerie Muñoz, Public Member Background materials for agenda
Ricardo Sanchez, Public Member items typically are available to When feasible, board meetings
Maria D. Serpa, Pharm.D. read and download about fve are webcast at the Department of
Deborah Veale, R.Ph. days before each meeting. Consumer Afairs webcast page.
Stanley C. Weisser, R.Ph.
Albert C. M. Wong, Pharm.D. For most board meetings,
pharmacists and pharmacy
STAFF technicians who attend a full-day
meeting on the designated date
Anne Sodergren may be awarded six CE hours
Interim Executive Ofcer per renewal period. Attendees
requesting CE must sign in and
Bob Dávila out on an attendance sheet at the
Editor meeting with their frst and last
name, license number, and time of Contact
Victor Perez
Layout/Design
arrival and departure. Check the
board’s agenda to determine the The Script
designated date for CE hours.
Do you have any questions
Pharmacists and pharmacy or comments about The
technicians also may earn two Script? Are there topics you
hours of CE for attending a full would like to see in the
committee meeting per renewal newsletter?
California State period. Attendees requesting
Board of Pharmacy
CE must sign in and out on an Let us know! Send a note to
attendance sheet at the meeting editor Bob Dávila at
with their frst and last name, [email protected].