Board of Pharmacy

Montana Board of Pharmacy

Our office at 301 South Park Ave in Helena will reopen to the public on June 14th.

Our services are available through remote delivery. We are available to assist customers through our online public portal at EBIZ.MT.GOV/POL (Professional and Occupational Licenses) and EBIZ.MT.GOV (for Permits). For other services, please contact us via email at DLIBSDWEBHELP@MT.GOV or by phone (406) 841-2300.

Click for the information regarding:

Directive-3-30-2021-EONEW pharmacy directive issued by Governor to further expand access to COVID-19 vaccines and assist in pharmacy staffing.

Notice: The Montana Prescription Drug Registry (MPDR) has transitioned to a new system vendor, Appriss PMP AWARxE, effective Thursday, March 4, 2021. See information forRegistered Usersand Facilities Reporting to MPDR

Welcome to the Montana Board of Pharmacy

The Board of Pharmacy makes every effort to include on this web site all relevant information pertaining to the licensing and regulation of the following license types:

Individuals: Pharmacists, Certified Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Technicians-in-Training, Interns, and Dangerous Drug Researchers.
Facilities: Community Pharmacies, Hospital/Institutional Pharmacies, Out-Of-State Mail-Order Pharmacies, Limited Service Pharmacies/Class IV Facilities, Outpatient Surgical Centers, and Wholesale Drug Distributors.

Individual Renewals May 1 – June 30, 2021

License renewal for individual pharmacists, certified pharmacy technicians, and dangerous drug researchers is due by June 30, 2021. Renewal forms, including inactive pharmacist request, are available under Forms. Renew online at ebiz.mt.gov.

COVID-19 Information for Pharmacy - Update 3/30/2021

Directive-3-30-2021-EO issued by Governor to assist in pharmacy staffing for COVID-19 vaccines
On March 30, 2021, Governor Gianforte issued a pharmacy directive to further expand access to COVID-19 vaccines and assist in pharmacy staffing. See Directive-3-30-2021-EO, “Directive Implementing Executive Order 2-2021 by waiving strict compliance with Admin. R. Mont. 24.174.711”.

In summary, the pharmacy directive provides for the following:
- Directs the Board of Pharmacy to allow pharmacists who are qualified to prescribe, administer, and dispense authorized COVID-19 vaccines to utilize any health care provider licensed by this state or another state, and qualified to administer vaccines under their scope of practice, to assist in the administration of COVID-19 vaccines for the duration of the state of emergency.
- - See statute reference MCA 37-7-201, powers and duties of the Board of Pharmacy, including the requirement that the Board regulate personnel who may work in a pharmacy or under the supervision of a pharmacist.
- Admin. R. Mont. 24.174.711(1), which restricts the number of pharmacy technicians a registered pharmacist may supervise, is waived for the duration of the state of emergency, with the following limitations:
  - A registered pharmacist and pharmacy technician must be authorized to administer an authorized COVID-19 vaccine.
  - The ratio is waived solely for the purpose of administering an authorized COVID-19 vaccine and conducting associated administrative duties and procedures.
See directive for additional information.
Pharmacist, Intern, and Technician Immunization Authority
On December 3, 2020, HHS issued an Amendment clarifying immunization training requirements for pharmacists authorized to order and administer COVID-19 vaccines. Specifically, pharmacists authorized at the state level to administer vaccines are covered if the state specifies training requirements. Montana specifies training requirements to issue an immunization endorsement on a license as outlined in 37-7-101(24), MCA, definition of an immunization-certified pharmacist. ACPE training standards apply to pharmacist interns which, for students in Montana, is met.

On October 21, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued Guidance authorizing qualified pharmacy technicians and state authorized pharmacy interns to administer childhood vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines, and COVID-19 testing, pursuant to supervision by a qualified pharmacist and compliance with HHS requirements. Under Montana law, pharmacy technicians do not have authority to administer vaccines (or any other drug). However, the HHS authorization preempts state law and provides federal authority for immunization and testing during the COVID-19 public health emergency as outlined in the guidance.
- HHS guidance documents for pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians issued pursuant to the COVID-19 public health emergency are listed below:
  - HHS December 2020 Pharmacist Immunization Training, 4th Amendment; PDF, Press Release
    - Authorizes pharmacists meeting Montana immunization training requirements to order and administer COVID-19 vaccines.
  - HHS October 2020 Guidance on Pharmacy Technician and Intern Vaccine and Testing
  - HHS September 2020 Guidance Pharmacist Ordering Administering COVID Vaccine
  - HHS August 2020 Declaration Pharmacist Childhood Vaccine; PDF; Press Release
    - Authorizes pharmacists meeting certain requirements to vaccinate individuals ages 3-18
  - HHS June 2020 Guidance Pharmacist Order and Administer COVID Testing
  - HHS April 2020 Guidance for Pharmacist COVID-19 Testing
- See state authority at 37-7-105, MCA, Administration of Vaccines, and 37-7-101, MCA, Definitions; and ARM 24.174.503 Administration of Vaccines by Pharmacists
Pharmacist Collaborative Practice Authority
- HHS Statement on Authorizing Licensed Pharmacists to Order and Administer COVID-19 Tests (4/8/2020)
  - See HHS Guidance for Licensed Pharmacists, COVID-19 Testing, and Immunity under the PREP Act (4/8/2020)
- See state authority at 37-7-101(6, 7), MCA, Definition, and ARM 24.174.524 Collaborative Practice Requirements
Emergency Prescription Refills
- Montana's Existing Emergency Prescription Refill Rule ARM 24.174.836
  - This rule does not apply to controlled substances, Schedules II - V, per DEA requirements.
  - See DEA Pharmacist's Manual for information on prescription requirements.
- DEA Guidance on Early Refills of Controlled Substances
- DEA Chart: How to Prescribe Controlled Substances to Patients During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- DEA Guidance on Issuing Oral Schedule II Prescriptions
Off-Site/Remote Pharmacy Work Information
- Board of Pharmacy regulations do not address the location from which an in-state pharmacist may perform his or her duties. Please reference ARM 24.174.823 regarding centralized prescription filling and processing of drug orders as it may apply to your situation. If off-site work does occur, facility policies and procedures should address this practice. Also, please reference ARM 24.174.301 (43) and ARM 24.174.818 Security for guidance on security of your software system.
- Regarding technicians, as described in ARM 24.174.705 Tasks and Functions of a Pharmacy Technician, their functions are limited to the provisions of an approved utilization plan. Any assigned tasks or functions (including practice location) that deviate from your approved utilization plan must be addressed in a newly submitted plan, or addendum to your current plan. See ARM 24.174.712 for information on modifying an existing plan.
  - Please email any updates to the Board at dlibsdpha@mt.gov for priority review.
- As an additional resources, see ARM 24.174.1112 regarding remote medication order processing services for hospitals.
Pharmacy Resources
- Prescribing and Dispensing Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Montana Directive Authorizing Pharmacist to Vaccinate Children ages 3 and Up (8/27/2020)
- HHS Statement Authorizing Expanded Access to Childhood Vaccines during COVID-19 by Pharmacists (8/19/2020)
- CDC Guidance: Considerations for Pharmacies During COVID-19 Pandemic
- FDA Temporary Policy for Compounding of Certain Drugs for Hospitalized Patients by Pharmacy Compounders not Registered as Outsourcing Facilities During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- FDA Temporary Policy Regarding Non-Standard PPE Practices for Sterile Compounding by Pharmacy Compounders not Registered as Outsourcing Facilities During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- HHS Statement on Authorizing Licensed Pharmacists to Order and Administer COVID-19 Tests (4/8/2020)
- DEA Call Center Suspended Operations
- FDA Guidance on Compounding Hand Sanitizer
- USP Guidance for Sterile Compounding
  - CriticalPoint® Recommendations to Implement USP Guidelines
- CMS Part D Signature Log Announcement
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Coronavirus Updates
  - Joint Statement from NABP and Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) on Inappropriate Prescribing and Dispensing of Medications During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Montana Pharmacy Association

MPDR Updates March 2021

Important Update for MPDR Registered Users
MPDR has transitioned to a new system vendor, Appriss PMP AWARxE, effective Thursday, March 4, 2021. The new MPDR system will support expanded prescription drug monitoring services in our state. Board of Pharmacy webpage and the MPDR homepage.
Important Update for MDPR Pharmacy/Data Submitters
The MPDR data reporting process has changed with the transition to a new system vendor, Appriss PMP AWARxE, effective Thursday, March 4, 2021. The new MPDR system will support expanded prescription drug monitoring services in our state. Click here for more informationabout registering with Appriss PMP Clearinghouse.
Contacting MPDR
- The process has changed for submitting subpoena requests, board investigation requests, and access requests for prescribers/pharmacists working at federal facilities. The MPDR has transitioned to a new system vendor, Appriss PMP AWARxe, effective Thursday, March 4, 2021.
- For more information, conctact MPDR staff at DLIBSDMPDR@mt.gov. All forms are available under the "Forms" tab.
Welcome New Staff
Please welcome Nikki Griffis, PharmD, as the new MPDR Program Manager. Nikki can be contacted at DLIBSDMPDR@mt.gov or 406-841-2240
Reports
- 2020 MPDR Interim Report 12/14/2020
- MPDR Statistics November 2020
MPDR Registration and Fees
- Effective October 1, 2019, all Montana licensees authorized to prescribe or dispense prescription drugs are required to register with the MPDR at the time of initial licensure or renewal.
- In addition, the same licensees are required to pay the $30 MPDR fee at license renewal.
  - See Sections 2 and 4 of Senate Bill 61 and Section 5 of House Bill 86, enacted by the 2019 Montana Legislature.
  - These provisions are implemented in statute at 37-7-1503(1), MCA and 37-7-1511(1), MCA.
  - For registration information go to: www.MPDR.mt.gov.

Other Updates

Wholesale Drug Distributors: Opioid Seller's License with Department of Revenue
Effective July 1, 2019, any Wholesale Drug Distributor who distributes the initial sale of opioids in Montana is required to have a separate OPIOID SELLER’S LICENSE through the Montana Department of Revenue.
- See House Bill 654, enacted by the 2019 Montana Legislature, and implemented in statute at 15-64 Part 10, MCA.
- For additional information on requirements, licensure, and fee information, go to: https://mtrevenue.gov/taxes/miscellaneous-taxes-and-fees/opioid-sellers-license/.
Naloxone - UPDATED
- The new 2017 law increasing access to naloxone is Title 50 Chapter 32 Part 6.
- Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) naloxone information is available through the Opioid Overdose Prevention resources.
  - Montana Standing Order for Naloxone Opioid Antagonists - Updated version effective January 1, 2021
  - Implementation Guidelines for Dispensing and Distribution of Naloxone
  - Overdose Recognition and Response Guide brochure
Montana Medicaid Pharmacy Information from Mountain Pacific Quality Health
- Access Mountain Pacific's DUR Program Newsletter and sign up to receive the newsletter electronically at: https://www.mpqhf.org/corporate/montanans-with-medicaid/pharmacy/
- The DUR Program Newsletter provides information and updates on: Montana Medicaid Drug Prior Authorization; Preferred Drug List (PDL); Montana Medicaid Drug Utilization Review; and other activities.