URGENT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE LOS ANGELES WILDFIRES
RE: EMERGENCY PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE AND RELATED INFORMATION
To Licensees and Registrants:
According to news sources, the recent wildfires in Los Angeles County have
displaced more than 150,000 people, many of whom will temporarily or
permanently relocate to Nevada. The purpose of this notification is to make
pharmacists, dispensing practitioners, health care providers, medical products
providers, and other public health stakeholders aware of the federal Emergency
Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP). EPAP helps uninsured people after
disasters to be sure they still have the medicines and medical equipment they
normally use to stay healthy. For eligible persons, the program covers certain
prescription drugs, specific medical supplies, vaccines, and certain medical
equipment, including canes, walkers, wheelchairs and crutches. Currently, more
than 72,000 pharmacies participate in EPAP. Licensees and registrants should
prepare to meet the increased demand for prescription medicines and medical
equipment covered by EPAP. More information concerning EPAP can be
accessed at the following link: Fact
Sheet: The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program: What You Need to Know.
Awareness on the activation of this program has also been shared by ASPR via
several social media platforms:
Additionally, licensees and registrants should be aware of NAC 639.170.
Under specified emergency circumstances, NRS 639.170 authorizes the Nevada
State Board of Pharmacy (Board) to waive certain regulatory requirements when
those requirements serve as an impediment to disaster relief efforts. If you
believe that a specific regulation is an impediment to disaster relief efforts,
you are encouraged to contact the Board. The Board will evaluate waiver
requests on a case-by-case basis in consultation with interested public
officials according to the criteria set forth in NAC 639.170. This provision
provides as follows:
NAC 639.170 Waiver of regulation upon declaration of emergency:
Authority; required notices. (NRS
639.070)
1. The President, Executive Secretary or General
Counsel of the Board may waive any of the requirements set forth in any
regulation adopted by the Board governing the practice of pharmacy if a
federal, state or local official authorized to issue a declaration of emergency
concerning the health and welfare of the general public submits a notice of
such declaration of emergency to the Board.
2. If the President, Executive Secretary or General
Counsel of the Board issues a waiver pursuant to subsection 1, he or she shall:
(a) Provide written notification of the waiver,
identifying the requirements of the applicable regulations that have been
waived, any conditions of the waiver and the period of the waiver, to each
pharmacy, pharmacist or other person to whom the Board deems necessary to
effectuate the waiver; and
(b) Provide written notification of the termination
of the waiver, by the most accessible and efficient means, to the same persons
that were provided a written notification of the waiver pursuant to paragraph
(a).