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Official Newsjournal of the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists

Board of Pharmacy Update
Highlights of the September Meeting

by Scott A. Meyers, Executive Vice President

The September 8th Board of Pharmacy Meeting was held via conference call due to COVID-19 pandemic. These are the highlights of that meeting.

NABP District IV Meeting – The Annual NABP/AACP District IV Meeting is being held virtually on Thursday, October 8th from 1-5 pm. It is co-hosted by Ohio State University College of Pharmacy and the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. It will be a shortened event that will include a discussion on pharmacy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Several Board members indicated that they will participate.

Department Update - Staff member and Board General Counsel, Munaza Aman was asked questions related to the HHS Executive Order regarding pharmacist-provided immunizations. The Executive Order allows pharmacists to provide COVID-19 immunizations to patient 3 years of age and older. This conflicts with the Illinois Pharmacy Practice Act, which only allows pharmacist-provided immunizations for patients 14-years and older. The Department staff is aware of the Order but has not yet developed any guidance to Illinois pharmacists.

The rules allowing pharmacy technicians to administer immunizations are being developed, but will not be completed in a timely manner unless they are implemented as emergency rules. It is unlikely that an emergency rule will be drafted. The Department does not feel any urgency with these rules.

Legislative Update – IPhA Executive Director, Garth Reynolds presented the Legislative Update to the Board and reported that there was no new activity by the General Assembly. There is a working group drafting language for the Veto Session to make the HHS Executive Order on immunizations permanent in Illinois.

Public Comments – A brief report was provided on an IDPH Mass Vaccination Planning Group. The group has just begun to meet to create plans for the anticipated COVID-19 vaccine.

Next Meeting – The next meeting of the Board of Pharmacy is scheduled for November 10th, tentatively - potentially in Chicago but most likely via virtual call. Interested individuals should monitor the Department’s pharmacy webpage www.idfpr.com for more information. These meetings are open to the public and pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy students are encouraged to attend or listen in.