ARC 5831C

ARC 5831C

PHARMACY BOARD[657]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rule making related to pharmacy technician administration of vaccines and providing an opportunity for public comment

The Board of Pharmacy hereby proposes to amend Chapter 3, "Pharmacy Technicians," Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rule Making

This rule making is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code sections 147.76 and 155A.6A.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rule making implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code section 155A.6A.

Purpose and Summary

This proposed rule making provides the minimum training requirements for pharmacy technicians to engage in the administration of vaccinations. Currently, under the national public health emergency declaration and Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act in response to the global coronavirus pandemic, pharmacy technicians are authorized, pursuant to training and continuing education requirements, to administer pediatric vaccinations to any patient aged 3 to 18 years old and COVID-19 vaccinations to patients of any age for which the vaccination is authorized or approved. This rule making identifies properly trained pharmacy technicians so that the technicians may engage in pharmacist-delegated vaccine administration for immunizations and not be limited to pediatric or COVID-19 vaccinations.

Fiscal Impact

This rule making has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

After analysis and review of this rule making, no impact on jobs can be determined.

Waivers

Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rule making would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Board for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 657—Chapter 34.

Public Comment

Any interested person may submit written comments concerning this proposed rule making. Written comments in response to this rule making must be received by the Board no later than 4:30 p.m. on August 31, 2021. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

A public hearing at which persons may present their views orally or in writing will be held as follows:

Persons who wish to make oral comments at the public hearing may be asked to state their names for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of this proposed rule making.

Any persons who intend to attend the public hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Board and advise of specific needs.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rule making by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rule making at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee's meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

Emergency Rule Making Adopted by Reference

This proposed rule making is also published herein as an Adopted and Filed Emergency rule making (see ARC 5820C, IAB 8/11/21). The purpose of this Notice of Intended Action is to solicit public comment on that emergency rule making, whose subject matter is hereby adopted by reference.