The 2011 Legislature passed House Bill 1353, requiring the Board of Pharmacy to develop rules to establish continuing education requirements for pharmacy technicians. The effective date of the bill was July 22, 2011. Requiring pharmacy technicians to obtain continuing education (CE) to maintain a credential will ensure they stay current with professional practice standards.

On May 2, 2012, the Board of Pharmacy filed a CR-102, Proposed Rule Making, WSR 12-10-082. The proposed rule requires pharmacy technicians to complete 10 hours of continuing education or 1.0 CE unit annually. One hour must be in pharmacy law and the remaining nine hours must be in pharmacy technician related education. The proposed rule mirrors the national continuing education standards for pharmacy technicians set by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians.

The proposed rules are open for public comment and scheduled for consideration at a public hearing. The rules hearing is scheduled for June 7, 2012, at Highline Community College, Mt. Constance, 2400 S. 240^th Street, building 8, Des Moines, WA, 98198. 

Documents for review:

House Bill 1353

WSR 12-10-082

Permanent Rules Banning Synthetic Cannabinoids and Substituted Cathinones filed with Code Revisers Office

The Washington State Board of Pharmacy has adopted rules to add synthetic cannabinoids and substituted cathinones to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. The adopted rules were filed with the Code Revisers Office on November 1, 2011 (WSR 11-22-086). The rule becomes effective December 2, 2011.

The rules give clear authority to law enforcement to prosecute for the distribution, manufacture, sale, and possession of these substances. It alerts the public to the potential health risks that could result from using them.

The board will continue to work with prosecutors and the Washington State Patrol Forensic Laboratory to update the list of substances, as needed.

For more information see Frequently Asked Questions.

Documents:

Permanent Rules (WSR 11-22-086)

Emergency Rules (WSR 11-09-044)

Chapter 246-873 WAC Pharmacy - hospital standards have not been revised since 1992. Hospital pharmacy practice during this time period has changed dramatically. The Board has identified references, definitions, and terms in the rules that are outdated. Key portions of the rules may be revised in order to accurately reflect: (1) current clinical practices; (2) new national requirements for sterile compounding; (3) electronic medication ordering practices; (4) use of electronic records; (5) emergency outpatient pharmacy practices; and (6) new technologies. Join the interested parties list.

Documents:

Draft rule language: Chapter 246-874 WAC

Documents:

Draft rule language: Chapter 246-886 WAC and WAC 246-887-050 thru 070