By the authority vested in the Missouri Board of Pharmacy under section 338.010, RSMo Supp. 2020, and section 338.280, RSMo 2016, the board amends a rule as follows:
20 CSR 2220-6.040 is amended.
A notice of proposed rulemaking containing the text of the proposed amendment was published in the Missouri Register on January 4, 2021 (46 MoReg 12-13). Those sections with changes are reprinted here. This proposed amendment becomes effective thirty (30) days after publication in the Code of State Regulations.
SUMMARY OF COMMENTS: The board received two (2) comments on the proposed amendment from Walgreens Pharmacy and Chief Inspector Tom Glenski.
COMMENT #1: Walgreens Pharmacy supported the board's expansion of pharmacist technician activities. However, Walgreens recommended that the board accept national pharmacy technician certification in lieu of requiring one (1) year of pharmacy technician work experience in Missouri. Alternatively, Walgreens recommended the board accept pharmacy technician work experience in another state as qualifying experience for administering vaccines.
RESPONSE AND EXPLANATION OF CHANGE: The board believes both pharmacy technician work experience and pharmacy technician certification are necessary to protect the public and to ensure pharmacy technicians are properly trained in vaccine administration. However, the board agrees that pharmacy technician work experience from another state meets the intent of the rule and has modified the rule accordingly.
COMMENT #2: Tom Glenski, Board Chief Inspector, recommended the board amend proposed section 20 CSR 2220-6.040(9) to be consistent with proposed changes to rule 20 CSR 2220-6.050 which has also been filed for public comment. Specifically, Mr. Glenski noted 20 CSR 2220-6.040(9) provides a pharmacist must be "physically present at the location" when a vaccination is administered by a pharmacy technician. However, the proposed amendment to 20 CSR 2220-6.050(8) governing immunizations by protocol provides a pharmacist must be "physically present on-site" when a pharmacy technician administers a vaccine.
RESPONSE AND EXPLANATION OF CHANGE: The board agrees with the recommendation and has amended the rule as suggested.