Emergency Pharmacy Board Orders

The SC Board of Pharmacy has taken action to provide much-needed medications and pharmacy services to the citizens of South Carolina during this unprecedented public health emergency. The Board has issued Orders on matters related to permitting and practice during the public health state of emergency, including the following:

Temporary Permits. This Order directs Board staff to issue 90-day temporary permits to non-resident facilities permitted in good standing in other states. It allows for a representative of the applicant to be interviewed by staff via telephone or other electronic means in lieu of appearing before the Nonresident Application Review Committee. Further, the Order delegates the ability to issue such permits to Board staff without the need for additional Board action. Finally, the Order directs Board staff to issue the permit within 24 hours after receipt of a completed application. Experts predict that we will soon be experiencing a major drug shortage due to restrictions on imports from China. If and when this occurs, the temporary permits will allow South Carolina pharmacies to (hopefully) dip further into the supply chain to order drugs. Additionally, it will allow hospitals and other facilities to reach out to manufacturers and other providers to seek needed drugs. Remote Order Entry. This Order suspends enforcement of the Board's prohibition on performing remote order entry from an unpermitted site. The Order, which largely comes in response to concerns expressed by small hospitals, will allow pharmacists and other pharmacy personnel to essentially work from home, provided certain conditions are met. This decision recognizes that COVID-19 is a risk to health care providers, in addition to patients. If a pharmacist employed by a small county hospital were to become infected with the virus, the hospital could be without the services of a pharmacist, at all, while he/she recovers. By allowing for this method of remote order entry, it reduces the pharmacist's risk and thereby increases the safety of patients. Order Extending Certain Deadlines Order Providing Temporary Authorization For Use of Automated Pharmacy Pickup Kiosks Order Establishing Safe Harbor For Preparation of Pharmaceutical Prodcuts in Light of National Garb/PPE Shortage

Please continue to check the website for future Board actions.