Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Report A Note from Our Director The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy has a rich and lengthy history in our endeavors to protect the public health and welfare by and through the effective regulation of the many aspects of the drug delivery system. Even when we may think we have seen everything; something will always surprise you. While everyone is aware of the large‐scale impact that COVID 19 has had in our nation and across the world, specific impacts in pharmacy have been a stressor we have not seen previously. In fact, our office has seen firsthand how our staff, board and permit holders were all able to handle this pandemic and respond rapidly to ensure our ability to continue serving the public in many new and innovative ways. Throughout our review this year you will see numerous examples of how the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy responded to the rapidly evolving need to consider requests and deliver guidance on how pharmacies, pharmacists, support staff, drug distributors and other permit holders could both socially distance and continue to serve patients. In my 15+ years with the Board, let me just say that this year is different. If you look back over the past few years especially you will see a common focus for the Board of Pharmacy and that has been one of educational outreach and partnerships to help with the issues of prescription drug abuse, misuse, and addictive disease. Unfortunately, through this pandemic, we have seen statistics indicating a marked increase in drug overdoses and suicide attempts as well as increases in the utilization of naloxone as a life saving measure to reverse opioid induced overdoses. While these increases are very unfortunate, we are thankful that we have more pharmacies and pharmacists engaged in efforts to educate and help distribute naloxone to individuals at risk for an opioid overdose as well as their family and friends that may come in contact with someone at risk of an opioid overdose. Partners such as the Arkansas Drug Director’s office and the University of Arkansas Criminal Justice Institute have helped to supply thousands of doses of naloxone to first responders across our state and we have seen individuals saved from these efforts in the hundreds. Along these same lines, the Board of Pharmacy has continued our efforts to promote safety measures for patients to appropriately dispose of their unwanted and unneeded prescription drugs via drug takeback drop boxes and through takeback events in our state. While we were disappointed to see the spring drug takeback events cancelled across the nation, we are dedicated to continuing our outreach and partnerships to ensure that we do not lose ground in our efforts to correctly dispose of these unneeded medications in an appropriate manner and hope to see our largest ever events this fall. The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy members and staff believe that educational efforts and outreach are the most valuable work that we do to serve the public as well as the permit holders with our agency. With all of the changes of this year so far with COVID 19 we have refocused many of our efforts to ensure that we can reach people where they are due to the fact that we simply cannot gather in the ways we previously have. We have transitioned many of our efforts to deliver information virtually and will continue to work with our partners to deliver the same services in innovative ways. It is our honor to serve Arkansas in this capacity and we continue to look for additional opportunities to work with our current partners as well as build new relationships as we promote, preserve, and protect the public health, safety, and welfare by and through the effective regulation of the many aspects of the drug delivery system. Sincerely, John Clay Kirtley, Pharm.D. Who We Are Our Purpose To promote, preserve, and protect the public health, safety, and welfare by and through the effecve regulaon of the many aspects of the drug delivery system. Board Members Lenora Newsome, P.D. Rebecca Mitchell, Pharm.D. Deborah Mack , P.D. Lynn Crouse, Pharm.D. Smackover Greenbrier Bentonville Lake Village President Vice President/Secretary Past President Board Member Board Staff John C. Kirtley, Pharm.D. Brenda McCrady, P.D. Lana Whitmore Luke Daniel Jennifer M. Burgin Execuve Director Assistant Director Chief Fiscal Officer General Counsel Administrave Analyst Our Mission The agency licenses, permits, and oversees pharmacists and pharmacies, as well as the distribuon system where there is the sale, delivery, or distribuon of prescripon drugs, medical gases, durable medical equipment, and legend devices. The agency also acts as an expert in the disseminaon of informaon regarding the laws and regulaons which govern the pracce of pharmacy and its related fields. Brian Jolly, P.D. Steve Bryant, P.D. Carol Rader, RN Amy Fore, Batesville Batesville Fort Smith MHSA, FACMPE, FACHE Board Member Board Member Public Member Fort Smith Public Member Nancy Sweet Christy Bryant Jenni Chambers Kevin Robertson, Cindy Fain, P.D. Administrave Analyst Business License Analyst Extra Help Pharm.D., BCPS Pharmacy Inspector Pharmacy Inspector Where We Are The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy offices are located in the Mann on Main Building on the corner of 4th and Main in downtown Lile Rock. Our address is: 322 South Main Street, Suite 600, Lile Rock, AR 72201. How We Serve License 20,000+ individuals and facilies to pracce in Arkansas Informaon source for the public Resolve complaints from the public against licensees Serve as a source of informaon for all pharmacists Test new pharmacists Provide an avenue for licensure transfer from other states Discipline pharmacists and other licensees Share informaon with other agencies to improve health care Promulgate rules to address new areas of public concern Inspect Pharmacies, In‐State Wholesale Distributors of Controlled Substances and/or Legend Drugs, and Distributors of Home Medical Equipment, Legend Devices, and/or Medical Gases Who We License 15,976 Individuals are licensed to practice in Arkansas*. 6,614 6,169 6,540 5,684 5,725 6,121 4,821 5,169 5,226 4,496 4,355 702 672 687 719 706 594 597 636 617 645 591 8,391 8,890 8,633 7,591 7,205 7,240 6,195 6,793 6,482 5,415 6,089 * Due to fingerprinng limitaons due to COVID‐19, provisional licenses were issued unl fingerprints could be obtained and a federal background check completed. As of July 1, 2020 there were 9 provisional pharmacists, 7 provisional interns, and 196 provisional technician licenses issued and currently acve. 760 In State Retail Pharmacies 604 Out of State Retail Pharmacies 1,754 Wholesale Distributors of Legend and Controlled Substances 717 Wholesale Distributors of Home Medical Equipment, Legend Devices, and Medical Gases 40 Wholesale Distributors of List I Chemicals 120 State Supported/ Charity Clinics 30 Instuons 202 Hospitals 6 Specialty Pharmacies 4,233 Facilities both in and out of state are licensed in Arkansas. Board Meetings The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy meets at least three mes a year as required by regulaon. The Board meeng dates for this fiscal year were: July 10th, 2019 (Emergency Hearing) September 5th, 2019 (Emergency Hearing) September 25th, 2019 (Emergency Hearing) October 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, 2019 November 18th, 2019 (Emergency Hearing) February 3rd, 2020 (Emergency Hearing) February 11th, 12th, and 13th, 2020 February 21st, 2020 (Emergency Hearing) April 10th, 2020 May 7th, 2020 June 9th, 2020 June 15th, 2020 (Public Hearing for Proposed Rule Changes/ Emergency Hearing) Due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, the June 9th, 2020 meeng was held via Zoom and no aendees were allowed in the Board office. Reciprocity candidates were also not able to meet with the Board during this session. Reciprocity candidates are usually tested the day before the board meeng to ensure their eligibility before meeng with the Board. The previous Board meeng minutes are approved at the beginning of each new Board meeng and posted online at pharmacyboard.arkansas.gov. Informal conferences may be held on months without formal board meengs in order to resolve pending licensure issues. Proposed Rule Changes On Monday, June 15, 2020 at 10:00 AM, the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy held a public hearing at the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy Offices, 322 South Main, Suite 600, Lile Rock, AR 72201. The following rule changes were considered: RULE 1—GENERAL OPERATIONS Proposed changes will add new language outlining expedited licensing for qualified individuals in accordance with Act 820 of 2019. Proposed changes to this rule are also being made to match statutory language updated by Act 990 of 2019 along with other clean up language for clarificaon. RULE 2 — PHARMACISTS Proposed changes will remove language regarding Armed Forces Cerficates for Pharmacists as new language is being added to Rule 1 to cover all permit types in accordance with Act 820 of 2019. Proposed changes to this rule are also being made to match statutory language updated by Act 990 of 2019 along with other clean up language for clarificaon. RULE 3 — PHARMACY TECHNICIANS Proposed changes to this rule will match statutory language updated by Act 990 of 2019 along with other clean up language for clarificaon. RULE 11 – CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS Proposed changes to this rule are being made to match statutory language updated by Act 990 of 2019 regarding eligibility for licensure or registraon. Proposed changes will also add language regarding Pre‐Licensure Criminal Background Checks pursuant to Act 990 of 2019 and will remove outdated language. Public comments were accepted unl the conclusion of the public hearing.