November 2024 Electronic Mailbags
DEA and HHS Issue Extension of Telemedicine Flexibilities for CS Prescribing
United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Third Temporary Rule that extends telemedicine flexibilities regarding the prescribing of controlled substances (CS) through December 31, 2025. These telemedicine flexibilities have been in place under the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency since January 31, 2020.
This extension is being granted to ensure a smooth transition for patients and practitioners who rely on the availability of telemedicine for CS prescriptions. The additional time will allow DEA and HHS to promulgate proposed and final regulations that are consistent with public health and safety and mitigate the risk of possible diversion. In addition, it will allow providers adequate time to comply with any new standards or safeguards eventually adopted in a final set of regulations.
See the Federal Register notice for more information.
DEA CSOS
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will be launching an enhanced Controlled Substance Ordering System (CSOS) on December 9, 2024. DEA’s CSOS facilitates the electronic ordering of controlled substances in Schedules I through V. More information, including communications sent to registrants, can be found on the DEA website.
How to Earn the Wellbeing First Champion Badge for Your Board
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) is encouraging its member boards of pharmacy to participate in the Wellbeing First Champion Challenge. The challenge, operated by the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, is one way boards of pharmacy can take steps to support pharmacy staff’s access to mental health care. Boards that verify the removal of overly broad and invasive mental health questions from licensure and credentialing applications earn a Wellbeing First Champion Badge, which serves as visual recognition that they prioritize health worker well-being.
Participating in the challenge is easy:
- Visit the Licensing and Credentialing Reform section of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation website.
- Click on the Take Action Now button.
- Create an account by clicking the Get Started link above the login field.
- You will receive an email with a link to create your password. If you do not receive the email, check your spam folder.
- Use the guidance document in the toolkit to help you audit all applications, addendums, and peer review forms. If you identify invasive or stigmatizing language around mental health, you will need to make changes to your forms before taking the final step in the process.
- Once you have updated the language, or if you have determined that there is no language to be changed, click on the tile titled “Submit to be a Wellbeing First Champion” to submit your application and earn your badge.
- Even if your licensing applications do not need changes, you will need to submit the application to earn your badge.
- It will take 5-10 minutes to complete the application.
We hope you and your board will take part in the Wellbeing First Champion Challenge. Badges will be awarded to boards of pharmacy at the 121st NABP Annual Meeting in May 2025. If you have any questions about the challenge or submission process, contact the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation via email at info@drbreenheroes.org.
USP Seeks Comments on Stimuli Articles Addressing Compounding
United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is seeking feedback on two pharmaceutical compounding stimuli articles published in Pharmacopeial Forum – 50(6). These articles offer preliminary insights into potential informational chapters that the USP Compounding Expert Committee may consider developing in the future. They can be found at the links below:
- Formulation Development Reference Document for Pharmaceutical Compounding
- Stability Reference Document for Pharmaceutical Compounding
A free USP Access Point account is required to view each article. Comments will be accepted until January 31, 2025.
Registration Now Available – 2025 Tri-Regulator Symposium and Opioid Regulatory Collaborative Summit
NABP is pleased to invite its members to the 2025 Tri-Regulator Symposium and the 2025 Opioid Regulatory Collaborative (ORC) Summit, taking place March 6-7, 2025, at the Tysons Corner Marriott in Tysons Corner, VA.
March 6, 2025
The Tri-Regulator Symposium, hosted by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), NABP, and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with your counterparts of medical and nursing regulatory boards. This sixth Tri-Regulator Symposium offers one day of presentations and open forums on topics of high importance to the future of US health care. While each of the three organizations is autonomous with their own membership and goals, all share common values and a deep commitment to public health protection. Recognizing this, FSMB, NABP, and NCSBN formed the Tri-Regulator Collaborative to advance dialogue and build consensus on issues of state-based licensure and regulation. This day will provide the opportunity to discuss interprofessional cooperation and the challenges facing state medical, nursing, and pharmacy boards.
March 7, 2025
The second ORC Summit will be held following the Symposium. Launched in 2021 by FSMB, NABP, NCSBN, and the American Association of Dental Boards, the ORC partnership is aimed at addressing the nation’s opioid epidemic by uniting the key health care professions that prescribe and dispense prescription medications.
Space at the Tri-Regulator Symposium and Opioid Regulatory Collaborative Summit is limited, and registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline to register is February 5, 2025. There is no cost to register for the symposium or summit.
Lodging and airfare are the responsibility of attendees, and a special contracted room rate of $239 per night (plus applicable taxes/fees) is available at the Tysons Corner Marriott. If you are interested in attending the Tri-Regulator Symposium and/or the ORC Summit, please contact NABP Executive Meeting Planner Jess Ruhl via email at jruhl@nabp.pharmacy for meeting registration and hotel information.
We look forward to your participation!