October 2025 Electronic Mailbags
H.R. 5316, “Drug Shortage Compounding Patient Access Act of 2025” – Correction
NABP would like to issue a correction to the attachment of the memo titled, H.R. 5316, “Drug Shortage Compounding Patient Access Act of 2025,” included in the September 25, 2025, Electronic Mailbag. The corrected document is attached to this memo. Specifically, the bill also strikes “The Secretary shall, in consultation with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, develop a standard memorandum of understanding for use by the States in complying with subparagraph (B)(i).”
The Drug Shortage Compounding Patient Access Act of 2025 was introduced in the United States House of Representatives on September 11, 2025, by Representative Harshbarger (R-TN). The legislation was assigned the bill number H.R. 5316 and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bill is co-sponsored by Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Representative Burgess Owens (R-UT). Both Representatives Harshbarger and Carter are pharmacists. As of the date of this memo, no further action has been taken on the bill.
Below is a summary of the most notable changes this legislation, if enacted, would have on compounding and drug shortages/surges in demand:
- Pharmacies would be able to compound for distribution, in limited quantities, to a licensed prescriber for urgent administration in a clinical/hospital setting, drug products that are found on the shortage list.
- This can only be done after attempts have been made, which are documented, to obtain the product from a 503B outsourcing facility.
- The hospital/clinic would need to provide records back to the pharmacist that identify the patients to whom the products were administered, and the pharmacy ensures that the patient information in those records is linked with the order.
- Appears to expand the ability to compound with dietary supplements.
- Expands the exception to what is an essential copy to include compounding of a copy of a commercially available drug for 60 days post-removal of the drug product from the shortage list for pharmacies, and 180 days post-removal of the drug product from the shortage list for outsourcing facilities.
- Eliminates the Memorandum of Understanding between the FDA and the States.
- Creates certain manufacturer reporting requirements.
- Contemplates “surge in demand” for life-saving drugs and requires manufacturers to report demand surges.
- Report the intent to discontinue manufacturing of a drug 6 months prior to market exit.
- Expands the definition of “drug” to include APIs.
NABP will continue to monitor this bill and engage congressionally as necessary. NABP welcomes feedback from its member boards, which can be directed to Andrew Funk, director, member relations and government affairs, via email at afunk@nabp.pharmacy.
Nominations for the 2026 NABP Leadership Awards to be presented at the 122nd NABP Annual Meeting
Nominations are currently being accepted for the following NABP Leadership Awards: 2026 Lester E. Hosto Distinguished Service Award, 2026 Fred T. Mahaffey Award, 2026 Carmen A. Catizone Honorary President Award, and the 2026 John F. Atkinson Service Award. The awards presentation will take place at the 122nd NABP Annual Meeting, May 12-15, 2026, at the Hilton Boston Park Plaza in Boston, MA.
Lester E. Hosto Distinguished Service Award
Originally known as the Distinguished Service Award, it was renamed by NABP to serve as a memorial to the 1990-1991 NABP President Lester E. Hosto, whose motivating presence in the practice of pharmacy was recognized by practitioners of his state, pharmacy leaders across the nation, and former United States President Bill Clinton.
This award is the highest honor bestowed by the Association. To be considered, nominees must meet the following criteria:
- exemplary effort to protect the public health, and
- strong commitment to furthering the goals and objectives of NABP.
Any individual who meets the criteria may be nominated for the Lester E. Hosto Distinguished Service Award, regardless of their member affiliation with NABP.
Fred T. Mahaffey Award
This award was named after the late NABP Executive Director Emeritus Fred T. Mahaffey, who held the executive director position from 1962 to 1987. His leadership and contributions to NABP, state boards of pharmacy, and the protection of the public health were significant and established NABP as one of the leading pharmacy organizations.
This award is reserved for member boards of pharmacy. To be considered, the board of pharmacy must meet the following criteria:
- made substantial contributions to the regulation of the practice of pharmacy over the past year;
- contributed to protecting the public health and welfare through the enforcement of state and federal laws and regulations;
- contributed to the advancement of NABP goals and objectives as specified in the Association’s Constitution and Bylaws; and
- be an active or associate member board of pharmacy.
Carmen A. Catizone Honorary President Award
The award was renamed in 2020 to honor former NABP Executive Director/Secretary Carmen A. Catizone, who served the Association for 35 years. The award honors Catizone’s unwavering leadership, commitment, and dedication to NABP and its mission of protecting the public health.
To be considered for the distinction of honorary president, nominees must meet the following criteria:
- service on at least one NABP committee or task force;
- participation in NABP/American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy District Meetings and NABP Annual Meetings;
- exemplary services for, or on behalf of, NABP;
- strong commitment to NABP, the mission of the Association to protect the public health, and the practice of pharmacy; and
- affiliation (either current or past) as a board member or as an administrative officer of an active or associate member board.
To submit a nomination for honorary president, you must be from an active or associate member board.
John F. Atkinson Service Award
This award was named in honor of the late John F. Atkinson, former NABP general counsel, who served the Association for more than 40 years.
To be considered, nominees must meet the following criteria:
- provided NABP with exemplary service in protecting the public health, and
- made exceptional accomplishments related to pharmacy law and compliance.
Nominations for the NABP Leadership Awards must be received at NABP Headquarters no later than December 31, 2025. Letters of nomination, along with a brief biography and current resume or curriculum vitae of the nominee, must include an account explaining why the nominee should be considered for an award.
An electronic nomination form is available on the NABP website.
The NABP Executive Committee will review the nominations and select the awards recipients. Nominations may be submitted via the form on the NABP website or to Lemrey “Al” Carter, Executive Director/Secretary via email at ExecOffice@nabp.pharmacy.
For more information, please contact ExecOffice@nabp.pharmacy.
Submissions for 2025-2026 Committees and Task Forces
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) is seeking volunteers from its active member boards of pharmacy to serve on the 2025-2026 committees and task forces. Executive officers and board members, including public members, interested in serving on a committee or task force are encouraged to submit a letter of interest and a current résumé or curriculum vitae. In addition, NABP encourages affiliated members from associate member boards and interested board of pharmacy staff to volunteer for NABP task forces. Submissions should outline volunteers’ applicable experiences and accomplishments, along with the reasons they wish to be considered for appointment to a committee or task force.
| Task Force or Standing Committee | Eligible to Serve |
|---|---|
| Single-Issue Task Force or Work Group | Current or past board members and staff from active and associate member boards |
| Committee on Law Enforcement/Legislation | Current board members and executive officers of active member boards |
| Committee on Constitution and Bylaws | Current board members and executive officers of active member boards |
| Advisory Committee on Examinations (ACE) | Current board members and executive officers of active member boards or those who have served within the last five years as a board member or executive officer of an active member board |
All submissions must be sent to NABP Executive Director/Secretary Lemrey “Al” Carter, PharmD, MS, RPh, at ExecOffice@nabp.pharmacy or via the NABP website, by Friday, May 15, 2026. All materials will be forwarded to NABP President-elect Nicole L. Chopski, PharmD, ANP, who will make the appointments when she becomes NABP President following the Association’s 122nd Annual Meeting, May 12-15, 2026.
Sterile Compounding Inspector Training Grant Program Update
NABP’s recent approval of grant funding for state inspectors attending the sterile compounding inspector training program provided by the Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA) has been rescinded due to recent actions that are not conducive to positive engagement with our members. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) will continue to provide financial assistance through grant funding to inspectors who attend NABP-approved sterile compounding inspector training. NABP currently recognizes sterile compounding inspector training programs developed by the following organizations:
- University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, Kennedy Pharmacy Innovation Center (KPIC)
- Pure Microbiology
NABP’s inspector training grant program supports training for one inspector per state each year. Grant funding may be used to support the same individual once every three years. These parameters were established to align with certification standards and the pace of change.
Through the grant program, NABP covers up to $1,995 per inspector to attend one of the approved courses. The funds apply to the registration fees, and, if additional funds remain, they can be applied to travel expenses for the training. Inspectors must complete the training before being reimbursed.
To sign up for a training, complete the online form on the NABP website. Program details are attached to this memo. If you have any questions about the grant program or registration, please email GovernmentAffairs@nabp.pharmacy.
Attachment: NABP-Approved Sterile Compounding Inspector Training Programs