Licensure/Registration/Certification/Operational Requirements

Question 1

[Continuing Education] How often must pharmacy licensed be renewed and reference?

Answer 1

1 year; IAC 657-8.35 (155A)

Question 2

[Continuing Education] How often must pharmacist license be renewed and reference?

Answer 2

2 years 657-2.11(147, 155A)

Question 3

[Continuing Education] How often must controlled substance registration be renewed and reference?

Answer 3

2 years 657-10.3(24)

Question 4

[Continuing Education] How often must continuing education be completed and reference

Answer 4

2 years (3.0 CEU each period) 657-2.12(272C)

Question 5

[Continuing Education] What are the Iowa Board of Pharmacy requirements for Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) for Pharmacists?

Answer 5

1. Minimum of 30 contact hours (3.0 CEU) per two-year renewal
2. At least 15 hours in ACPE accredited drug therapy topics
3. 2 contact hours in pharmacy law accredited by ACPE
4. 2 contact hours dealing with patient or medication safety

Question 6

[Continuing Education] What are the Iowa Board of Pharmacy requirements for CPE for Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhT)

Answer 6

1. Minimum of 2 hours in pharmacy-related subject matter during each two-year recertification cycle
2. 1 hour must be pharmacy law
3. 1 hour must be patient safety

For additional information, review Iowa Administrative Code 657-2.12

Question 7

[Continuing Education] Can a pharmacist complete Continuing Professional Development in lieu of traditional CPE hours? Reference?

Answer 7

1. yes a pharmacy may complete and submit with the pharmacist’s license renewal a continuing professional development (CPD) portfolio to fulfill the remaining continuing education requirements.
2. Pharmacists must complete a one-hour training through CEI, and notify the Board of Pharmacy of their interest to utilize CPD.
3. Only pharmacists, not pharmacy technicians, can utilize CPD in lieu of traditional CPE hours.
4. For more information review IAC 657-2.12

Question 8

[Continuing Education] What are the requirements for a centralized filling facility? Reference?

Answer 8

1. An originating pharmacy may outsource prescription filling or processing to a centralized filling pharmacy or order processing to a central processing pharmacy provided the pharmacies:
2. Have the same owner or have entered into a written contract or agreement that outlines the services to be provided and the responsibilities and accountabilities of each pharmacy in compliance with federal and state laws; and
3. Share a common electronic file or have appropriate technology to allow access to sufficient information necessary or required to perform the contracted functions.
4. For more informatino review IAC 657-18

Question 9

[Pharmacy Technicians] Do pharmacy technicians in Iowa have to be certified? Reference?

Answer 9

1. Yes, all pharmacy technicians are required to be nationally certified. The Board of Pharmacy does not provide certification.
2. However, an individual may register as a technician trainee before receiving national certification. This registration must be obtained within 30 days of the commencement of pharmacy technician training, is used for a period of 1 year to allow adequate time for national certification, and shall not be renewed.
3. IAC 657-3

Question 10

[Pharmacy Technicians] How does a pharmacy technician register with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy? Reference?

Answer 10

1. A technician can register with the Board of Pharmacy by completing an application and submitting this back to the Board of Pharmacy within 30 days of accepting employment in an Iowa pharmacy
2. IAC 657-3

Question 11

[Miscellaneous] What are the requirements for pharmacist supervision in a registered telepharmacy? Reference?

Answer 11

1. A pharmacist at the “managing pharmacy” with which the telepharmacy site is associated shall be accessible to answer requests or inquiries while the telepharmacy is open
2. The pharmacist must complete and document monthly inspections.
3. IAC 657-13

Question 12

[Miscellaneous] May a non-pharmacist serve as a preceptor for a student pharmacist? Reference?

Answer 12

1. No.
2. A preceptor is a licensed pharmacist in good standing with the licensed authority in the state in which the person is practicing pharmacy.
3. A preceptor may supervise no more than two pharmacist-interns concurrently.
4. A preceptor shall be responsible for all functions performed by a pharmacist-intern.
5. The Iowa Board of Pharmacy does not register preceptors.
6. IAC 657-4.19

Question 13

[Miscellaneous] What is an outsourcing facility? Reference?

Answer 13

1. Title I of the Drug Quality and Security Act is called the Compounding Quality Act.
2. This federal legislation established a new category termed outsourcing facility.
3. Which represents pharmacies or other facilities that mass distribute sterile compounds.

Question 14

[Miscellaneous] Can a pharmacy in another state that is not licensed in Iowa dispense, mail, distribute, or deliver prescriptions to a patient residing in Iowa? Reference?

Answer 14

1. No
2. A pharmacy may not provide prescription medications, devices, or pharmacy services (including patient assessments and counseling) to any ultimate user in Iowa through any means (deliver, dispense, distribute, or otherwise) without being registered with the Board.
3. If an out-of-state pharmacy would like to engage in such practices, they must register as a non-resident pharmacy.
4. IAC 657-19

Question 15

[Miscellaneous] What is a continuing quality improvement (CQI) program and what are the requirements pertaining to pharmacy practice? Reference?

Answer 15

1. Each pharmacy that provides pharmaceutical services to patients must implement an ongoing, systematic program of standards and procedures to
2. Detect, identify, evaluate and prevent medication errors to improvement medication therapy and the quality of patient care.
3. The CQI records must be maintained on site at the pharmacy and be accessible for inspection for at least 2 years from the date of record.
4. Events should be reported immediately or within three days of discovery.
5. The PIC shall monitor the program, event information, and determine when follow-up is needed.
6. IAC 657-8.26(155A)

Question 16

[Miscellaneous] List policies and procedures required in CQI program [8.26(3)]

Answer 16

1. Each pharmacy shall have written policies and procedures for the operation and management of the pharmacy’s CQI program
2. A copy of the pharmacy’s CQI program description and policies and procedures shall be maintained and readily available to all pharmacy personnel
3. The policies and procedures shall address at a minimum:
4. [Train all pharmacy personnel in relevant phases of the CQi program]
5. [Identify and document reportable program events]
6. [Minimize the impact of reportable program events on patients]
7. [Analyze data collected to assess the cuases and any contributing factors relating to reportable program events]
8. [Use the findings to formulate an appropriate response and to develop pharmacy systems and workflow processes designed to prevent and reduce reportable program events and]
9. [Periodically, but at least quarterly, meet with appropriate pharmacy personnel to review findings and inform personnel of changes that have been made to pharmacy policies, procedures, systems or processes as a result of CQI program findings.]