e-News August 2026

For Stakeholder Comment: Shared Services, Remote Pharmacy Functions, and Automated Distribution Systems

In an effort to expand access to pharmacy services via technology, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy is proposing an update and expansion of its pharmacy technology-related rules. Included in this packet are the following 8 new rules:

• 4729:5-3-25 - Shared services and remote pharmacy functions. (NEW)
• 4729:5-3-25.1 - Central fill pharmacies. (NEW)
• 4729:5-3-25.2 - Remote prescription or medication order processing. (NEW)
• 4729:5-3-25.3 - Electronic Product Verification (NEW)
• 4729:5-3-17 - Automated distribution systems. (NEW)
• 4729:5-3-17.1 - Automated pharmacy systems. (NEW)
• 4729:5-3-17.2 - Automated drug storage systems. (NEW)
• 4729:5-3-17.3 - Self-service prescription kiosks. (NEW)

To access the full text of these rules, visit www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/TechRules. Comments on the proposed rules will be accepted until close of business on September 30, 2026. Please send all comments to the following email address: rulecomments@pharmacy.ohio.gov.

CSI - BIA - Emergency Medical Services (Comments due September 14, 2026)

The following information is being provided pursuant to the requirements of Executive Order 2011-01K and Senate Bill 2 of the 129th General Assembly, which require state agencies, including the Ohio Board of Pharmacy, to draft rules in collaboration with stakeholders, assess, and justify an adverse impact on the business community (as defined by S.B. 2), and provide an opportunity for the affected public to provide input on the following rules.

Amend

• 4729:5-14-01 – Emergency medical services - definitions. Rescinds and replaces current definition rule. Defines terms related to emergency medical service (EMS) organizations and adds terms from newly adopted DEA regulations on emergency medical services.
• 4729:5-14-02 – Licensure and procurement of dangerous drugs. Establishes licensure and procurement requirements for EMS organizations. Adds section requiring compliance with DEA requirements and registration of an EMS headquarters. Adds the types of terminal distributors of dangerous drugs (TDDDs) from which an EMS organization can obtain dangerous drugs. Adds requirements for records of delivery and drug acquisition/transport. Requires DEA registration in accordance with federal law.
• 4729:5-14-03 – Security and control of dangerous drugs. Establishes requirements for the security and storage of dangerous drugs by EMS organizations. Adds section about storing controlled substances and requirements for carrying drugs on their person. Updates reference for the section on requirements for securing drugs. Updates paragraph (I) to mention requirements in CFR 1301.20.
• 4729:5-14-04 – Record keeping. Establishes record keeping requirements for emergency medical service organizations. Updates the requirements for records of receipt, acquisitions, or delivery of dangerous drugs, as well as records of controlled and non-controlled substance dangerous drugs that were administered or disposed of. Adds the requirement for records of acquisition or verbal orders to be kept by the EMS organization. Adds that records must be documented using a form approved by the DEA and what must be included in the records.
• 4729:5-14-05 – Protocols and verbal orders for drug administration. Establishes requirements for administering a dangerous drug by an EMS organization. Authorizes the administration of medication for opioid use disorder by EMS personnel. Adds the requirement to maintain records of verbal orders and what must be included.

To access the rule text and accompanying business impact analysis, visit the following link: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/EMSRules.

Comments on the proposed rules will be accepted until close of business on September 14, 2026. Please send all comments to the following email address: rulecomments@pharmacy.ohio.gov.

In addition, please copy your comments to: CSIPublicComments@governor.ohio.gov. 

Electronic Product Verification Rule - Effective August 19, 2026

On August 19, 2026, OAC 4729:5-3-25 will go into effect. This rule permits electronic product verification by pharmacists. "Electronic product verification" or "electronic verification" means the non-physical dispensation ("final check") of a drug or device by a pharmacist using an electronic verification system to verify the accuracy of the drug or device and affixed label prior to dispensing.

For more information, a copy of the rule text can be accessed here: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/EPV.

Theft or Significant Loss Reporting Rule Update

Effective August 8, 2026, terminal distributors and wholesale distributors of dangerous drugs will now have forty-five days (previously 30 days) to report a theft or significant loss to the Board using the online portal following the discovery of theft and significant loss. The Board made this change to mirror recent changes in federal law.

For more information, visit our website at: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/Theft. 

Reminder: Veterinary Residents/Interns and Prescribing

The Ohio Board of Pharmacy would like to remind all licensees that veterinary residents and interns with a valid DVM license are permitted to send prescriptions to retail pharmacies for filling. Additionally, these veterinary residents and interns working under a hospital's DEA registration have full prescribing authority, including for controlled substances.

Board Publishes 2024-2025 Biennial OARRS Report

Pursuant to ORC 4729.85, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy published the 2024-2025 Biennial OARRS Report, which can be accessed here: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/OARRS20242025. This report focuses on opioid pain relievers and other controlled substances dispensed by pharmacies or personally furnished by prescribers in Ohio.

FDA Launches Assessment and Issues DSCSA Exemption for Small Dispensers

FDA is launching the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) Assessment of Small Dispensers. This assessment is designed to evaluate small dispensers’ ability to conduct interoperable tracing of product at the package level. 

FDA encourages small dispensers (pharmacies with 25 or fewer full-time employees) to complete the small dispensers assessment survey by September 22. Small dispensers may designate a separate entity (e.g., consultants) to complete this survey on their behalf.  

For more information, visit the FDA’s website: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-supply-chain-security-act-dscsa/drug-supply-chain-security-act-dscsa-assessment-small-dispensers.

Alert for Licensees: Scam Email Impersonating the Board of Pharmacy

It has come to the Board's attention that licensees are receiving emails about updating their license contact information that look like the photo shown below. This email is not from the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. Please do not click any links or provide your personal information (login credentials, SSN, etc.).

While the Board requires licensees/registrants to report changes in contact information including email address, phone number, and mailing address, we have not sent any emails requesting licensees to take action.

All emails from the Ohio Board of Pharmacy will be sent from the @pharmacy.ohio.gov email address or from elicense-noreply@das.ohio.gov.

Always log in to eLicense using the following web address: https://elicense.ohio.gov/oh_communitieslogin.

Below is a screenshot of what the Board of Pharmacy's eLicense login page looks like.

For more information about protecting yourself against email scams, visit: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/phishing.

Be Vigilant - Watch Out for Scammers!

BOARD STAFF DO NOT ASK FOR MONEY OVER THE PHONE OR VIA EMAIL TO RESOLVE PENDING INVESTIGATIONS. WHEN IN DOUBT, PLEASE CONTACT THE BOARD IF YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE THE TARGET OF A SCAM.

The Ohio Board of Pharmacy continues to learn that licensees are being targeted by scammers who claim to work for various governmental agencies (Board of Pharmacy, DEA, FBI, Department of Justice, etc.) to obtain money from the target. The Board strongly encourages licensees to be alert to avoid scammers.

Scammers may try to initiate contact via phone calls, emails, faxes, and letters purporting to originate from various state and federal agencies that include allegations of drug trafficking and threats of suspension against the target’s license.

Board of Pharmacy investigators will not ask for fine payment or personal/sensitive information over the phone and will never contact licensees via fax. As a reminder, administrative fines issued by the Board are not paid via gift cards or cryptocurrency. If the Board of Pharmacy is conducting an investigation and that individual faces action against their license, they will receive an official notice of opportunity for a hearing either via certified mail, personal service, or electronic registered mail.

If you are contacted by a scammer, please report this information using the Board’s online complaint form: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/complaint. Additionally, reports should be made to your local law enforcement agency.

If you receive any suspicious calls or correspondence purporting to be from the Board of Pharmacy, we encourage you to call (614-466-4143) or email (contact@pharmacy.ohio.gov) the Board to confirm its legitimacy.

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Ohio Board of Pharmacy

Mike DeWine, Governor | Steven W. Schierholt, Executive Director