Healthcare practitioners can directly impact the prescription drug epidemic by educating patients regarding the proper disposal of medications. On Saturday, October 22, 2016, Virginia will participate in the 12th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, a DEA sponsored initiative which coincides with Prescription Opioid & Heroin Awareness Week, a new proclamation from President Obama.

Visit the DEA online for more information, and to find a collection site near you.

FDA News Release

The FDA announced on August 31, 2016 that strong warnings are issued against the concurrent use of prescription opioid analgesics and cough medicines along with benzodiazepines. Serious risks and death have been associated with this combination.  For more information please read the annoucement

Growing number of Zika virus cases reported in Virginia

Primarily a mosquito borne disease, the Zika virus is most impactful in warmer seasons when illness can be transmitted by insects carrying the virus from one person to another.  In fact, 15 cases have been reported in the Commonwealth as of May 12, 2016.  Maintaining a keen awareness for the transmission and treatment of Zika virus infection is an imperative for healthcare practitioners.  The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) offers a variety of related information and tools on its website.

Download the Virginia State Zika Response Plan
For quick information, consult VDH’s Zika Fact Sheet

Drug Disposal

How a consumer may properly dispose of unwanted prescription drugs.
Guidance from the FDA
List of Authorized Collectors of Drugs for Destruction

Free Forums Offers Safe Prescribing and Dispensing Practices for Healthcare Providers

One Care of Southwest Virginia, Inc. and the Virginia Department of Health are joining forces to offer a free educational forum that will provide healthcare providers with clinical best practices for safe prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances.  Download the event poster here for more information.  Click here for FREE registration.

September 10- Lynchburg
September 11- Chesterfield
September 24- Abingdon
September 25- Blacksburg

Naloxone protocol

Naloxone protocol - Pharmacists shall follow this protocol when dispensing naloxone pursuant to an oral, written or standing order to a person to administer to another person believed to be experiencing or about to experience a life-threatening opiate overdose as authorized in §54.1-3408. 

REVIVE! Pharmacy Dispensing Brochure - This brochure is designed for pharmacists to distribute along with naloxone. Pharmacists may obtain kits for dispensing naloxone for intranasal administration by contacting REVIVE@dbhds.virginia.gov

Additional information regarding REVIVE!, the Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education program may be accessed here . 

Message from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB):

NTSB has recently adopted a safety study about the risk of impairment in transportation accidents. As a result, it has made several recommendations including publication and dissemination of a reminder to all prescribers and pharmacists of the importance of routinely discussing with patients the effect their diagnosed medical conditions or recommended drugs may have on their ability to safely operate a vehicle in any mode of transportation. Click here to read an excerpt from the study.

Video Resource - Prescription Drug Abuse - Red Flags for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians

An educational video for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to help them identify the warning signs of prescription drug abuse and diversion when dispensing prescriptions was created by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® and the Anti-Diversion Industry Working Group, a consortium of pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors. This 12-minute video, entitled, "Red Flags," includes a foreword from Virginia Board of Pharmacy Executive Director, Caroline D. Juran.

Information regarding Requirement for Nonresident Pharmacies to Submit Current Inspection Report:

Information on prescription drug abuse and medication safety (AWARxE)

Read More about AWARxE

Buying medicine online

For information about buying medicine online, visit the Consumer Protection section of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) Web site.
For more information:
Buying Medicine and Medical Products over the Internet from the FDA

Extension of renewal requirements for deployed military and spouses

Virginia law allows active duty service people or their spouses who are deployed outside the U.S. to have an extension of time for any requirement or fee pertaining to renewal until 60 days after the person’s return from deployment.  The extension cannot last beyond 5 years past the expiration date for the license.  For more information, please read attached policy and contact the applicable board for your license.