Our November newsletter was released this week. Read and subscribe to receive it below:
▸ Read this month's newsletter
▸ Subscribe to our newsletter

Our November newsletter was released this week. Read and subscribe to receive it below:
▸ Read this month's newsletter
▸ Subscribe to our newsletter

Our October newsletter was released this week. Read and subscribe to receive it below:
▸ Read this month's newsletter
▸ Subscribe to our newsletter

The next DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will be held on October 26, 2024, from 10am to 2pm. From the DEA: "The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.":
▸ Learn more about DEA's website
▸ Search for a year-round disposal site near you

Click the links below to read the proclamation in full and to read special messages from TSBP President Julie Spier and Executive Director Daniel Carroll:
▸ Read the Governor's Proclamation newsletter
▸ TSBP President Address
▸ Letter from TSBP Executive Director

Our September newsletter was released this week. Read and subscribe to receive it below:
▸ Read this month's newsletter
▸ Subscribe to our newsletter

Our August newsletter was released this week. Read and subscribe to receive it below:
▸ Read this month's newsletter
▸ Subscribe to our newsletter

Severe Weather Disaster Emergency Dispensing of Prescription Medication
▸ Read more here

Severe Weather Disaster Emergency Dispensing of Prescription Medication
▸ Read more here

Our April newsletter was released this week. Read and subscribe to receive it below:
▸ Read this month's newsletter
▸ Subscribe to our newsletter

The next DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will be held on April 27, 2024, from 10am to 2pm. From the DEA: "The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications."
▸ Learn more on DEA's website
▸ Search for a disposal site near you year-round

Our March newsletter was released this week. Read and subscribe to receive it below:
▸ Read this month's newsletter
▸ Subscribe to our newsletter

As many of our licensees are aware, the recent cyberattack on Change Healthcare has hampered some patients’ ability to obtain certain necessary prescription medications.

The Texas Medical Board (TMB), in conjunction with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP), would like to take this opportunity to remind prescribers that during times when electronic prescribing is unavailable, practitioners are able to utilize the official, physical Schedule II prescription form provided by the TSBP. These forms may be ordered online via the TSBP’s website at pharmacy.texas.gov/PMP/CIIforms.asp

Prescribers may consider having Official (CII) Prescription Forms more readily available should there be future events that would impact the ability to e-prescribe.

▸ Schedule II Prescription Form Information

Our February newsletter was released this week. Read and subscribe to receive it below:
▸ Read this month's newsletter
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Our January newsletter was released this week. Read and subscribe to receive it below:
▸ Read this month's newsletter
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Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Garrett Marquis and Randy Martin, Pharm.D. and reappointed Rick Fernandez and Julie Spier to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy for terms set to expire on August 31, 2029. Read the full appointment announcement on the Office of the Texas Governor's website below:
▸ Appointment Announcement

Our December 2023 newsletter was released this week. Read and subscribe to receive it below:
▸ Read this month's newsletter
▸ Subscribe to our newsletter

TSBP has updated its licensing and renewal fees effective January 1, 2024. Licensees due for renewal in January will see these updated fees reflected in their renewal portal now. Click the link below for a complete list of updated fees.
▸ Fees | January 1, 2024

The Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) is aware of the cyberattack regarding Ardent Health Services that is affecting facilities including UT Health East Texas. The safety of the citizens of Texas is our primary concern in regard to this issue. Until December 15, 2023, TSBP will recognize the previous version of the official prescription form that was no longer valid as of June 1, 2019, referred to by some as the “blue form,” as a valid official prescription form.
▸ Learn More

Our November 2023 newsletter was released this week. Read and subscribe to receive it below:
▸ Read this month's newsletter
▸ Subscribe to our newsletter

Our October 2023 newsletter was released today. Read and subscribe to receive it below:
▸ Read this month's newsletter
▸ Subscribe to our newsletter

TSBP is pleased to announce the hiring of Daniel R. Carroll, Pharm.D., R.Ph., as TSBP’s Executive Director/Secretary. Dr. Carroll’s tenure as Executive Director begins October 23, 2023.
▸ Learn more

Governor Greg Abbott has proclaimed October 2023 to be Pharmacist Month in Texas. This recognition coincides with the celebration of October as American Pharmacists Month. From the declaration: "Each year, the month of October is set aside in order to shed light on this vital profession [...] I encourage all Texans to recognize the outstanding work of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, without whom our health care system would not properly function." Click the links below to read the proclamation in full and to read a special message from TSBP President Julie Spier:
▸ Read the governor's proclamation
▸ Read President Spier's message

The next DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will be held October 28, 2023, from 10am to 2pm. From the DEA: "The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications."
▸ Learn more on DEA's website
▸ Search for a disposal site near you year-round

Our September 2023 newsletter was released today. Read and subscribe to receive it below:
▸ Read this month's newsletter
▸ Subscribe to our newsletter

The 2023 Texas Legislature approved funding for the Texas State Board of Pharmacy to offer statewide integration of the PMP in pharmacy management systems and NarxCare access at no cost to pharmacies beginning September 1, 2023.
▸ Learn more

Our July 2023 newsletter was released today. Read and subscribe to receive it below:
▸ Read this month's newsletter
▸ Subscribe to our newsletter

Governor Abbott’s statewide disaster declaration related to the COVID-19 pandemic expired on June 15, 2023. The last renewal of the declaration was issued May 15, 2023. You can find the final disaster declaration below:
▸ May 2023 Disaster Declaration
(Expired June 15, 2023)

Our May 2023 newsletter was released today. It includes an overview of the adopted and proposed rules from the May 2023 Board meeting earlier this month. Read and subscribe to receive it below:
▸ Read this month's newsletter
▸ Subscribe to our newsletter

The 11th amendment of the PREP Act extends the authorization of certain health care professionals, including pharmacists to order and administer, and pharmacy technicians, to administer COVID-19 and flu immunizations under certain conditions. It does not extend authorization for pharmacists to order and administer, or pharmacy technicians to administer childhood vaccines; this provision ended with the expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration (May 11, 2023). Read more on our guidance page below:
▸ COVID-19 | Guidance Page

Our March 2023 newsletter was released today. Read and subscribe to receive it below:
▸ Read this month's newsletter
▸ Subscribe to our newsletter

The DEA's next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will be held Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 10am to 2pm.
▸ Learn more on DEA's website

Per the new statutory requirement set out in Texas Occupations Code, Sec 602.2101, a fingerprint background check will be required prior to the completion of a pharmacist's TSBP license renewal if the pharmacist's initial fingerprints were completed before June 1, 2015.
▸ Learn more

The DEA's next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will be held Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 10am to 2pm. This DEA initiative "aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications" (DEA).
▸ Learn more on DEA's website

TSBP will be moving to our new office location at the George H. W. Bush State Office Building soon. The TSBP website and network will be down beginning at 5pm Thursday, September 8th and the office will be closed on September 9th. TSBP will reopen on Monday, September 12th. Click the link below for a detailed overview of the move timeline, along with minor anticipated impacts on some functionalities.
▸ Learn more

In some integrated pharmacy management systems, a patient score is loaded for viewing when the patient’s record is accessed, rather than the full report. Viewing the patient score alone does not comply with the mandated PMP lookup requirement. Visit the link below to learn more and to view an infographic of the full lookup process:
▸ Learn more

DEA has provided information regarding what a pharmacist can add to a controlled substance prescription. Learn more via the link below:
▸ Learn more

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised the Emergency Use Authoraization (EUA) for Paxlovid to authorize state-licensed pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid to eligible patients under certain conditions.
▸ Learn more

TSBP encourages all pharmacy professionals to continue to prioritize mental wellness. We want to continue to share pertinent wellbeing resources as they become available. We have added a mental wellbeing section to our Practice Resources page with new information from APhA and NAPSA, which include the Pharmacy Workplace and Well-Being Reporting and the ASHP Well-Being Ambassador Program.
▸ Explore these resources and more on our Practice Resources page

The DEA's next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will be held Saturday, April 30, 2022, from 10am to 2pm. This DEA initiative "aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications" (DEA).
▸ Learn more on DEA's website

Most of the temporary rule suspensions at the start of the COVID-19 disaster declaration were terminated as of September 1, 2021. However, the temporary suspension of §291.33(c)(1)(B)(iii) is still active and has been extended to June 30, 2022 or when the March 13, 2020 disaster declaration is lifted or expires.
▸ Read this rule and the terms of the temporary suspension on our website here

We’d like to share our continued thanks to our wonderful pharmacy professionals during this unprecedented time, and remind pharmacy professionals that you are also deserving of self-care and mental well-being. Read this special thank you message from Texas State Board of Pharmacy President Julie Spier, R.Ph.:
▸ Read the message here

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Ian Shaw and reappointed Rebecca "Suzette" Tijerina and Jennifer "Jenny" Downing Yoakum to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy for terms set to expire on August 31, 2027.
▸ Learn more here

To celebrate National Pharmacy Week, we’d like to share a special message from Texas State Board of Pharmacy President Julie Spier, R.Ph., and Executive Director Tim Tucker, Pharm.D.
▸ Read the message here

The Texas State Board of Pharmacy has updated its licensing and renewal fees effective October 1, 2021.
▸ See the new fees here

Governor Abbott has declared a state of disaster in the following counties: Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Matagorda, Montgomery, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, San Patricio, and Victoria.

Timothy Tucker, Pharm.D., Executive Director/Secretary, has authorized pharmacists in Texas to dispense up to a 30-day supply of medication (other than a Schedule II controlled substance) for patients affected in the counties of the disaster area under certain conditions.
▸ Learn more here

The DEA's next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will be held Saturday, October 23, 2021, from 10am to 2pm. This DEA initiative "aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications" (DEA).
▸ Learn more on DEA's website

The Texas Medical Board (TMB) and the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) have issued a joint statement regarding prescribed drugs or treatment for COVID-19
▸ Read the joint statement here

The temporary suspension of rules found here on our website will be terminated effective September 1, 2021. All affected rules and/or portions of rules will no longer be suspended beginning September 1, 2021.
▸ See the list of affected rules

Important changes are coming to the Texas PMP that will affect integration and NarxCare for certain users. Learn more on our website:
▸ Important changes to PMP enhancements

The Texas State Board of Pharmacy is pleased to announce that Tim Tucker, Pharm.D., has been selected by the Board to serve as the next Executive Director/Secretary.

Read the full press release here:
▸ Press Release

The Texas State Board of Pharmacy is pleased to partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division to bring this pharmacy-oriented continuing education program to Texas pharmacy professionals.

The symposium will be held in June 2021 and offers three (3) hours (0.3 CEUs) of CE approved by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy for license renewal. This program may be counted toward the requirement of prescribing and monitoring controlled substances as outlined by Board rule 295.8 for pharmacists and toward Texas-specific pharmacy laws or rules for pharmacy technicians per Board rule 297.8.

Visit our annoucement page for details and registration information:
▸ Virtual Pharmacist Opioid Symposium
▸ Symposium FAQs

The Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will be held on April 24, 2021 from 10am to 2pm. Learn more about the DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, locate collection sites, and access additional resources on DEA's website here:
▸ DEA Take Back Day

TSBP has launched a new podcast to bring you Board news and updates. Listen to our first episode here:
▸ TSBP Talks

TSBP continues to receive reports of scams involving individuals impersonating state agency entities. The most recent scam reports to TSBP indicate instances of telephone scammers spoofing TSBP's phone number so that the calls appear to be originating from TSBP directly. Remember that TSBP staff does NOT request your personal information in unsolicited phone calls. TSBP will NEVER request money or bank account information in a phone call. You may report information on telephone scammers to the Texas OAG.
>>Read the Texas OAG release regarding these types of scams
>>Learn more about reporting scammers
>>Click here to see an example scam letter

The Board discussed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the February 2021 Board meeting and voted to add the MOU to the Compounding Advisory Group agenda at their upcoming meeting in June 2021.

The upcoming Compounding Advisory Group meeting will elicit input from stakeholders regarding the MOU, and together with stakeholder input provide a recommendation to the Board for consideration at the August 2021 Board meeting.

Compounding Advisory Group schedules and agendas are posted here as they become available:
>>Compounding Advisory Group schedule & agenda information

TSBP continues to receive reports of scams involving individuals impersonating state agency entities. The Texas OAG released a notice May 7, 2020 regarding scammers posing as state agencies to solicit money from consumers. From the release:

“There are variations of this scam, such as local law enforcement contacting you with a warrant, agencies asking for donations, back taxes or fines, or asking for your personal information to either confirm innocence or receive a payment. Government agencies do not email or call individuals with financial solicitations. Consumers are advised to keep their personal information private and, if contacted by someone claiming to represent a government agency, go to its official website and find a legitimate phone number to confirm.”

Remember that TSBP staff does NOT request your personal information in unsolicited phone calls. TSBP will NEVER request money or bank account information in a phone call. You may report information on telephone scammers to the Texas OAG.

>>Read the Texas OAG Release

>>Learn more about reporting scammers

>>Click here to see an example scam letter

Beginning January 1, 2021 House Bill 2174, 86th Texas Legislature, required that mandatory electronic controlled substances (Schedules II through V) prescribing begin January 1, 2021. Some key highlights for pharmacy professionals regarding this requirement are as follows:

• The pharmacist is not responsible for ensuring there is a waiver. In addition, there is no requirement of the pharmacist to ensure an appropriate waiver is granted.
• If the prescription is otherwise valid, the pharmacist can dispense the prescription. A pharmacist may dispense a controlled substance pursuant to an otherwise valid written, oral, or telephonically communicated prescription consistent with the requirements of the Texas Controlled Substances Act.
• TSBP does not have the authority to grant or deny waivers. Waivers are granted by the prescriber’s own licensing agency.

NOTE: Per TSCA 481.0755, veterinarians are exempt from e-prescribing waiver requirements.

>>Read TCSA 481.0755

>>Read TCSA 481.0756

REMINDER: Beginning March 1, 2020, pharmacists and prescribers will be required to check a patient’s Texas Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) history before dispensing or prescribing opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or carisoprodol. Visit the Texas PMP home page for additional information and resources:
>>Texas PMP

Learn more about how the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) can help keep Texans safe via this new PMP resource site created in partnership with Texas Health and Human Services
>>Learn More

Several of the bills passed by the 86th Texas Legislature included required continuing education (CE) and a required training course for pharmacists. Pharmacy technicians will also be required to take a new training course. Learn more about these new requirements here:
>>Pharmacist CE Information
>>Technician CE Information

The Texas State Board of Pharmacy allows pharmacists, preceptors, interns, technicians, and technician trainees to print a free copy of the initial and renewal license/registration certificates
>>Learn More

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has included a resource information page for consumers and retailers regarding hemp and CBD on the DSHS Hemp Program page
>>Learn More

The Texas State Board of Pharmacy has updated its fees effective May 15, 2020. There are no changes to fee totals; only allocations have been updated.
>>Learn More

The Texas Medical Board (TMB) has released an updated guidance statement regarding new physician requirements to check the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) outlined in recent legislation
>>Read the Updated Guidance Statement