COVID-19 Information

COVID-19 Response Efforts

The Nevada State Board of Pharmacy is committed to protecting the health and safety of Nevadans during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Board posted a document on its website that provides COVID-19 guidance and response efforts, including the issuance of waivers to assist licensees in addressing operational needs. This document will be updated regularly and can be accessed by visiting: www.bop.nv.gov.

All licensees should follow the Governor's emergency directives and guidelines issued in response to COVID-19. For the Governor's emergency directives and other information, visit www.nvhealthresponse.nv.gov.

All licensees should follow the guidance from the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Division of Industrial Relations for essential businesses to protect workers. Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration Guidance.

The Board has received requests for guidance for pharmacy staff to minimize their risk of exposure and reduce the risk for customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.

All licensees MUST follow the mandate of the Governor's Emergency Directive 024 regarding face coverings. The Board will be enforcing Directive 024, located at

https://NVHealthResponse.nv.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Directive-024-Face-Coverings.pdf  

Board Office Hours

The Nevada State Board of Pharmacy is open to the general public between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

COVID-19 Emergency Regulations

The Board’s emergency regulation adopted March 23, 2020, restricting the prescribing and dispensing of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine (LCB File No. E003-20A) expired by operation of law at 11:59 PST on July 21, 2020, and is no longer in effect.

COVID-19 Regulations

The Board has amended the Nevada Administrative Code to authorize pharmaceutical technicians with appropriate training to administer immunizations under the direct supervision of a pharmacist. This will allow pharmacies to meet the increased demand for vaccine services and increase the State's capacity to expediently treat Nevada's population now that COVID-19 vaccines are being developed and deployed. 

Board of Pharmacy Regulation re Vaccinations

COVID-19 Waivers and Guidance for Licensees

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued guidance under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) authorizing state-licensed pharmacists to order and administer, and state-licensed or registered pharmacy interns acting under the supervision of the qualified pharmacist to administer, COVID-19 vaccinations to persons ages 3 or older, subject to certain requirements. The federal action preempts any limitations in state law. DHHS vaccine administration guidance document link here.

The Board is issuing waivers to certain regulatory requirements with guidance to assist licensees in addressing operational needs during the COVID-19 outbreak while still protecting the health and safety of Nevadans. The waiver process is detailed in the document linked above.

The Board has temporarily authorized intern pharmacists with appropriate training to administer immunizations under the State’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program under the indirect supervision of a pharmacist. Intern Vaccination Guidance.

The Board has partially waived existing regulations to permit pharmaceutical technicians with appropriate training to prepare COVID-19 vaccines for administration to patients under the indirect supervision of a pharmacist. Pharmaceutical Technician Preparation Guidance

The Board has temporarily authorized the practice of remote order entry for all licensed/registered pharmacy personnel (pharmacists, intern pharmacists, and pharmaceutical technicians). Remote Order Entry guidance.

The Board has temporarily authorized registered pharmacists, intern pharmacists, and pharmaceutical technicians to perform COVID-19 testing off-site, in conformance with federal authorization. COVID-19 Testing Off-Site guidance.

The Board has temporarily authorized licensees conducting sterile compounding to reuse certain personal protective equipment (PPE). Sterile Compounding to Reuse Certain Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidance.

The Board has temporarily authorized the compounding and sale of certain alcohol-based hand sanitizer products by Nevada-licensed pharmacies and outsourcing facilities. Compounding and Sale of Certain Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Products guidance.

The Board has partially waived the existing regulation on the number of pharmaceutical technicians/technicians in training that a pharmacist may supervise in a pharmacy. Number of Pharmaceutical Technicians/Technicians in Training guidance.

The Board has issued guidance on the authority of a pharmacist to issue refills pursuant to NRS 639.2394 to promote patient access to needed medications during the COVID-19 outbreak. Patient Prescription Refills During COVID-19 guidance.

The Board has issued guidance for pharmacists and pharmacies on socially-distanced methods of patient counseling and prescription delivery.

The Board has received requests for information regarding medicated assisted treatment (MAT) utilizing telemedicine and the delivery of prescription medication during the COVID-19 outbreak. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) MAT guidance.

The Board has issued guidance on the existing authority for the transfer of a drug between pharmacies to alleviate a temporary shortage.

The Board has partially waived certain requirements for dispensing controlled substances or dangerous drugs to human and animal patients to permit socially-distanced methods of dispensing during the COVID-19 outbreak. Dispensing Controlled Substances or Dangerous Drugs partial waiver.

The Board has partially waived existing regulations requiring continued certification of pharmacists and intern pharmacists in basic cardiac life support from the American Heart Association to administer immunizations during the COVID-19 outbreak. Cardiac Life Support Continued Certification Partial Wavier.

The Board has partially waived certain restrictions on the services which may be performed by pharmaceutical technicians in hospitals in response to COVID-19. Pharmaceutical Technicians Partial Waiver.

The Board has temporarily authorized registered pharmaceutical technicians in training to be rotated and utilized at multiple Nevada-licensed pharmacies, and authorized an extension of time for pharmaceutical technicians in training to renew their registrations in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Pharmaceutical Technicians in Training guidance.

The Board has partially waived existing regulations relating to pharmacies redistributing COVID-19 vaccines to practitioners for administration to patients. Partial Waiver of Requirements for Pharmacies to Redistribute COVID-19 Vaccine to Practitioners    

Governor Sisolak has issued Emergency Directive 011 to temporarily waive licensing requirements for certain qualified physicians to prescribe controlled substances for a limited duration during the COVID-19 outbreak. Qualified Physicians Controlled Substance Waiver Form.

Governor Sisolak has issued Emergency Directive 011 to temporarily waive licensing requirements for certain qualified advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to prescribe medications for a limited duration during the COVID-19 outbreak. Qualified Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and Physician Assistants to Prescribe Medications for a Limited Duration During the COVID-19 Outbreak Waiver Form.

The Board continues to receive reports of calls threatening legal action if an exorbitant fine is not paid immediately over the phone. The callers identify themselves as either Board of Pharmacy or DEA personnel and instruct their victims to pay the "fine" via wire transfer to avoid arrest, prosecution, imprisonment, and license revocation.  More information can be found at the following link.

Information for the General Public

The Board has issued guidance on the existing authority that allows for a practitioner to issue, and a pharmacist to dispense, controlled substance prescriptions for up to a 180-day supply, and all other medications for up to a 1-year supply. 180-day Supply of Controlled Substance Prescriptions and other Medications for up to a 1-year Supply guidance.

The Department of Motor Vehicles in cooperation with the Board has issued guidance on the use of DMV extension letters in conjunction with State issued identification for picking up controlled substances. The guidance can be found at the following link.

Additional information regarding the COVID-19 virus can be found at http://dhhs.nv.gov/