Virginia Board of Pharmacy Staffing Concerns and Statewide Protocols Update

The Virginia Board of Pharmacy has issued updated guidance regarding pharmacy staffing concerns and has amended several key statewide protocols. Pharmacy permit holders are now required to review and act upon staffing reports submitted by pharmacists-in-charge (PIC) or pharmacists on duty, in accordance with 18VAC110-20-113. PICs or pharmacists on duty also have the option to report staffing issues directly to the board if they believe the situation warrants immediate review. Importantly, good faith reports of staffing concerns by pharmacy personnel will not result in workplace discipline.

In addition to staffing protocols, the board has amended the following statewide protocols: Pharmacist Vaccine Statewide Protocol for Persons Eighteen Years of Age or Older, Vaccine Statewide Protocol for Persons Ages Three (3) through Seventeen (17), Tuberculin Skin Testing One-Step and Two-Step Protocols, Pharmacist Hormonal Contraceptive Statewide Protocol, Pharmacist Naloxone or Other Opioid Antagonist Statewide Protocol, Pharmacist Epinephrine Statewide Protocol, Pharmacist Protocol for Testing and Initiating Treatment for Influenza, and Pharmacist Protocol for Testing and Initiating Treatment for Acute Group A Streptococcus Bacteria Infection. Pharmacy staff must begin using these revised versions immediately. All statewide protocols can be accessed online.