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. This guidance can be accessed here.
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. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on this topic can be accessed here.
Board Office Hours
In order to help contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy has closed its offices to the general public and will be operating with essential personnel only until further notice. Please be advised that it may take longer than usual to receive a response. If you need to contact the Board for any reason, please email pharmacy@pharmacy.nv.gov.
COVID-19 Emergency Regulations
The Board has adopted an emergency regulation in Chapter 639 of the Nevada Administrative Code that restricts the prescribing and dispensing of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine during the COVID-19 outbreak. The emergency regulation can be accessed here.
A Board statement on the emergency regulation can be accessed here.
The Board has partially waived existing regulation and issued guidance on the dispensing of hydroxychloroquine from hospital emergency rooms for the treatment of COVID-19. The UPDATED guidance can be found here.
COVID-19 Waivers and Guidance for Licensees
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 here.
The Board has temporarily authorized the practice of remote order entry for all licensed/registered pharmacy personnel (pharmacists, intern pharmacists, and pharmaceutical technicians). The guidance can be accessed here.
The Board has temporarily authorized registered pharmacists, intern pharmacists, and pharmaceutical technicians to perform COVID-19 testing off-site, in conformance with federal authorization. The guidance can be accessed here.
The Board has temporarily authorized licensees conducting sterile compounding to reuse certain personal protective equipment (PPE). The guidance can be accessed here.
The Board has temporarily authorized the compounding and sale of certain alcohol-based hand sanitizer products by Nevada-licensed pharmacies and outsourcing facilities. The guidance can be accessed here.
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. The guidance can be accessed here.
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. The guidance can be accessed here.
The Board has issued guidance for pharmacists and pharmacies on socially-distanced methods of patient counseling and prescription delivery. The guidance can be accessed here.
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. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) guidance on this topic can be accessed here.
The Board has issued guidance on the existing authority for the transfer of a drug between pharmacies to alleviate a temporary shortage. The guidance can be accessed here.
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. The partial waiver can be accessed here.
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. The partial waiver can be accessed here.
The Board has partially waived certain restrictions on the services which may be performed by pharmaceutical technicians in hospitals in response to COVID-19. The partial waiver can be found here.
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. The guidance can be accessed here.
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. The waiver form can be accessed here.
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. The waiver form can be accessed here.
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. The guidance can be accessed here.