Boards of pharmacy can face unexpected challenges while working to protect the public health. Here, board executive directors talk about how they worked around these obstacles.
Michael D. Bullek, BSP, RPh
Administrator/Chief of Compliance, New Hampshire Board of Pharmacy
What is one of the most significant challenges or issues your Board addressed in the past year or so?
Our Board is responsible for all licensing concerning pharmaceuticals, both in-state companies and companies that ship into New Hampshire, the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) and all compliance and inspections involved, and inspecting all providers’ offices for medication-related issues. Last April, the Board had a legislative audit performed involving the PDMP and our compliance unit, verifying our processes to current statutes and rules. We have developed new guidelines, as well as a strategic plan, to move forward on recommendations stated in the audit.
What actions were taken by the Board to address the issue?
The Board reviewed and updated all our inspection policies and procedures and started the process of developing software to access our databases to streamline the process. We also looked at how the PDMP was operating and made changes to programs to meet the audit requirements for outcomes management information we send to our providers.
What insights do you have for other states that may be facing similar challenges?
New Hampshire is unique in how it has integrated the PDMP into normal Board operations as well as into inspections of providers’ offices to state and federal drug laws. These programs would not be successful without reaching out to various boards and investigators from other states, as well as to NABP, for guidance.
Read the full article in the November/December issue of Innovations.