Members present: President Steve Statz, Arvid Liebe, Jeff Nielsen, and Marla Hayes. Excused: Arlene Ham-Burr.
Staff present: Executive Secretary Ron Huether; Inspectors Earl McKinstry and Randy Jones, Senior Secretary Rene Hixon.
Others present: Sue Schafer, Executive Director, and Earl Hinricher, President, SD Pharmacists Association; Dean Dennis Hedge, Assistant Dean Dan Hansen, Professor Dave Helgeland, Brandon Johnson- P4 Student, and Cy Fixen-P2 Student, SDSU College of Pharmacy; Larry Ritter, K-Mart; Brian Lounsbery, Walgreens; Bill Ladwig, Lewis Drug.
The meeting was called to order by President Statz at 9:00 a.m. with introductions of board members and others in attendance. During the meeting SDSU President David Chicoine and Provost Laurie Nichols welcomed the Board to the campus and reported on current highlights at SDSU.
Minutes
Minutes from the June 4, 2010 meeting were posted on the Board of Pharmacy website after preliminary electronic approval by the board members. Liebe moved to approve the minutes of the June 4 meeting, seconded by Nielsen. Motion approved.
REPORTS
Financial Reports
The financial reports for the first quarter of the 2011 fiscal year were reviewed. Revenues and operating expenses are on budget. There was discussion on how staff changes will affect the budget. The Senior Secretary position vacated by Rene Hixon will be filled by Kim Burden, the current part-time Secretary. Huether will submit requests to DOH for approval to fill the part time position as well as the new positions – PDMP Program Director and PDMP Administrative Assistant.
Activity Reports
The Inspectors’ Activity Reports were reviewed. McKinstry reported on the successful telepharmacy operations in Faith and Eagle Butte. Jones reported that random visits to businesses are being made to monitor for compliance with non-prescription drug permits. He also reported on the visit to the Custer Regional Senior Care and Rapid City Regional to observe the new automated dispensing process being used for patients in Custer.
The Statistical Report of licensing activities was reviewed. Discussion was held regarding late pharmacist license renewals and lack of compliance with reporting required continuing education.
SD Pharmacists Assn. – Earl Hinricher discussed Association activities and financial reports. The Association board members are making an effort to visit pharmacies, and are emphasizing pharmacist immunizations, and service to patients. A group of pharmacists will meet by conference call to consider supporting legislation to expand immunization authority for pharmacists. The 125th SDPhA convention will be held in Sioux Falls June 3-5, 2011.
Dean Hedge reported that the move into the Avera Health and Science Center has provided adequate space to expand enrollment to 80 pharmacy students in the P1 class. The new facilities will enable SDSU to continue to attract quality students to the pharmacy program.
The SD Association of Pharmacy Technicians will hold their annual meeting October 9 in Pierre. Board Member Hayes and Huether will be giving educational presentations during this meeting.
Approvals
Applications have been submitted and the following sites have been approved for after hours order entry: Pioneer Memorial Hospital, Viborg; Sanford Hospital, Webster; Sanford Vermillion Medical Center; Custer Regional Hospital; Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital, Lead; Rapid City Regional Hospital Psychiatric/Recovery; Rapid City Regional Hospice House; Same Day Surgery Center, Rapid City; Sturgis Regional Hospital Pharmacy; Spearfish Regional Hospital Pharmacy; Spearfish Regional Surgery Center.
A motion was made by Liebe, and seconded by Nielsen to adopt “Guidelines for Approval of Variance to Weekly Pharmacist Inspection to Remote Telepharmacy Sites” and “Remote Telepharmacy Site Visit Report” as proposed by Huether. Yes votes by Liebe and Nielsen, with Marla Hayes abstaining. Motion carried.
Nielsen made a motion to approve the variance request submitted by James Stephens for twice monthly pharmacist visits to two telepharmacy sites in Eagle Butte and Faith. Motion seconded by Liebe. Yes votes by Liebe and Nielsen, with Marla Hayes abstaining. Motion carried.
Investigations
Inspector Jones reported on several recent complaints to the Board of Pharmacy. These complaints were resolved without hearings by working with pharmacists to resolve the issues and providing reports back to the consumers.
Disciplinary Actions
Huether reported that the probationary period for John Crumley will be completed on November 16th. This probation resulted from violations in Nebraska. The Nebraska Board of Pharmacy has reported that probation in that state ended in August. Hayes moved to restore status of “licensed in good standing” to pharmacist Crumley, effective November 16, 2010. Seconded by Nielsen. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
OLD BUSINESS
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) – The $400,000 Harold Rogers Grant has been awarded to the program beginning October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2012. The grant will fund the program for two years, including the software required for implementation and for 1.5 FTE staff to administer the program. A list of the PDMP Advisory Council members was distributed.
Liebe moved that the Board to proceed with the rule making process for the PDMP. Seconded by Hayes. November dates for a proposed administrative rules hearing were discussed to allow the proposed rules to go before the LRC Interim Rules committee on December 20, 2010. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Software Updates – Huether has been communicating with software providers, other states and the SD BIT in order to prepare the Request for Proposal for software for both PDMP and for Board licensing activities.
NEW BUSINESS
Election of Officers – Arvid Liebe was nominated as President and Marla Hayes as Vice President of the Board. A motion was made by Nielsen to accept nominations, with a second by Hayes. Motion carried.
Proposed Legislation – Discussion was held on the reasons to require mandatory criminal background checks for new pharmacist licensees and new pharmacy technician registrants.
Nielsen moved, Hayes seconded, to request legislation requiring mandatory background checks for pharmacists upon initial licensure or reciprocity. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Liebe moved, Nielsen seconded, to request legislation requiring mandatory criminal background checks for pharmacy technicians upon initial registration of renewal of expired registration. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
The Board directed Huether to begin discussions and educational efforts in anticipation of requesting legislation in 2012 for mandatory education and certification for pharmacy technicians. Initially, this will involve educating pharmacists to encourage their technicians to become certified. NABP has recommended that State Boards require mandatory education and certification by the year 2015.
Valid Prescription Order Discussion – The Board selected Huether and Jones to serve on a committee with the Boards of Medicine and Nursing regarding clarification of valid prescription orders.
Medical Marijuana Referendum - There was discussion on the measure on the November ballot to legalize medical marijuana in South Dakota. The Board confirmed its opposition to this proposal and directed Huether to contact the SD Department of Health for direction on how to appropriately respond to any questions on this issue.
OTHER BUSINESS
Recent Meetings – Board members and/or staff that attended recent meetings gave brief reports on those meetings:
SDPhA Annual Meeting – June 3-5 – Chamberlain/Oacoma (Statz, Liebe, McKinstry, Jones & Huether)
National Harold Rogers PDMP Mtg – June 28-30 – Washington DC (Huether)
Dist V NABP/AACP Meeting – August 5-7 – Williamsburg, IA
Multistate Jurisprudence Exam Standards Setting Committee –
September 21-22 – NABP Office – Chicago (Jones)
Interactive Member Forum – September 22-23 - NABP Office - Chicago (Liebe)
Future Meetings -- Board members and staff will participate in upcoming meetings:
SDAPT Annual Meeting – October 9, Pierre (Hayes, Huether)
ASPMP Education Conference – October 18-19, Charleston, SC (Huether)
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Advisory Council – Date TBD
SDSHP Annual Meeting – April 1-2, Sioux Falls
NABP Annual Meeting – May 21-24, 2011, San Antonio, TX
SDPhA Annual Meeting – June 3-5, 2011, Sioux Falls, SD
NABP/AACP District Five Annual Meeting – August 11-12, 2011, Regina, Saskatchewan
The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m. Dean Hedge conducted a tour of the Avera Health Science Center. The tour included presentations on SDSU College of Pharmacy graduate programs and research activities.
