NEW ENFORCEMENT DATE: Electronic Positive Identification Requirements | |
Effective March 31, 2027*, amendments to OAC 4729:5-5-04 will require, with limited exceptions, that all Ohio outpatient pharmacies adopt electronic positive identification as part of the pharmacy’s record keeping system. This means that once effective, the rule will not permit the use of hardcopy records and manual signatures to capture positive identification except for the following:
- Compounding and the dispensation of compounded drugs;
- Ancillary services as defined in rule 4729:5-5-02.1 of the Administrative Code; and
- Records maintained in accordance with rule 4729:5-3-17 of the Administrative Code.
*On September 14, 2026, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy adopted the following resolution delaying the enforcement of the rule until November 1, 2027:
The Ohio Board of Pharmacy hereby delays the enforcement of OAC 4729:5-5-04 (effective March 31, 2027) until November 1, 2027. During this delay, any licensee found in violation of OAC 4729:5-5-04 will be issued a written warning for failing to comply with the requirements of the rule. Any outpatient pharmacy that does not comply with the requirements of OAC 4729:5-5-04 on or after November 1, 2027, will be subject to administrative discipline in accordance with OAC 4729:5-4-01.
IMPORTANT: This change does not impact institutional pharmacies (except those that operate outpatient pharmacies), non-resident pharmacies, and other terminal distributors (EMS, clinics, OTPs, etc.). To review the upcoming amendments to the rule, visit: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/positiveIDchange.
Waiver Request Process
A waiver of the requirement for electronic positive identification may be granted by the Board upon written request of an outpatient pharmacy. All requests must be submitted in writing using this form: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/waiver.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
- The Board reserves the right to request additional information and documentation to render a decision as to whether to grant a waiver. Waivers will be granted on a limited basis and requests that do not include all the required information will not be reviewed by Board staff.
- Pharmacies who cannot meet the narrow qualifications for a waiver will be considered in violation of OAC 4729:5-5-04 if electronic positive identification is not adopted by March 31, 2027.
Waivers requesting extensions to this requirement will not be granted at this time. Waivers are intended to alleviate economic hardship and/or to address pharmacies engaged in low volume dispensing. They are not intended to address delays in planning by licensees (NOTE: These requirements were initially announced in June 2025, thereby giving licensees more than 21 months to ensure compliance).
| Ohio Board of Pharmacy Adopts FDA Temporary Policies for Neonatal Parenteral Nutrition | |
We Want to Hear from You! | The Board of Pharmacy is conducting an optional survey to get feedback from licensees that will help us improve our communication services across our website, social media, and email platforms. The survey will take 1-2 minutes to complete. If you would like to participate, visit our survey online here: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/commssurvey. | Ohio Law Permits Dispensing of an Emergency Refill of Medication without a Prescription | |
ORC 4729.281 authorizes a pharmacist to dispense emergency refills without a prescription. A pharmacist is permitted to dispense medication, other than a schedule II controlled substance, without a written or oral prescription if all the following conditions are met:
- The pharmacy at which the pharmacist works has a record of a prescription for the drug in the name of the patient who is requesting it, but the prescription does not provide for a refill or the time permitted for providing refills has elapsed.
- The pharmacist is unable to obtain authorization to refill the prescription from the health care professional who issued the prescription or another health professional responsible for the patient's care.
- In the exercise of the pharmacist's professional judgment: (a) The drug is essential to sustain the life of the patient or continue therapy for a chronic condition of the patient. (b) Failure to dispense or sell the drug to the patient could result in harm to the health of the patient.
For more information about this law, visit: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/emergency.
| New Pharmacy Board Inspector Position Available | |
The Ohio Board of Pharmacy has posted a new position as a Pharmacy Board Inspector for the Southeast Region of Ohio. To review and apply for the position, click here: https://dasstateoh.taleo.net/careersection/oh_ext/jobdetail.ftl?job=260006WB&tz=GMT-04%3A00&tzname=America%2FNew_York
Inspectors play a critical role in fulfilling the mission of the Board of Pharmacy by being actively involved in the regulation and enforcement of laws governing the distribution of legal drugs in Ohio. Inspectors work from a residential home office and are provided a state vehicle for official Board of Pharmacy business.
Qualifications for the position are:
- 42 months' experience within pharmaceutical industry and a valid driver’s license; or
- Passage of an examination approved by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to determine a person’s competency to perform services as a qualified pharmacy technician; 30 months' experience within the pharmaceutical industry; and a valid driver’s license; or
- Completion of associate program core coursework in law enforcement or a health care related field; 24 months' experience within the pharmaceutical industry; and a valid driver’s license; or
- Equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted in the job posting.
The final candidate selected for this position is required to live in or relocate to Guernsey or Muskingum county within 180 days from effective date of hire. If you are selected for the Pharmacy Board Inspector position, you will be required to complete a 16-week training. This training will take place in Columbus, Ohio and also in the field. Traveling to and from training will be required.
If you have any questions about the position, contact us at contact@pharmacy.ohio.gov.
Application Period Closes: September 20, 2026
| | Ohio Substance Use Disorders Center of Excellence Kratom Trainings - New Trainings Added | |
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) has rapidly evolved into a complex public health challenge across Ohio, linked to over 200 unintentional overdose deaths in recent years. As high-potency extracts and synthetic derivatives proliferate in retail settings, multidisciplinary healthcare and behavioral health teams must equip themselves with clear, evidence-based approaches to identify and manage clinical risks.
Join The Ohio Substance Use Disorders Center of Excellence for a practical, 90-minute interactive training designed to give clinicians, social workers, counselors, nurses, physicians, and first responders increased knowledge and understanding of Kratom.
Key Training Topics & Takeaways:
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Pharmacology & Health Impacts: Differentiate dose-dependent mechanisms—from mild stimulant effects to opioid-like sedation, organ toxicity, physical dependence, and severe withdrawal at higher doses.
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Exploring Myths vs. Facts: Separate dangerous retail misconceptions from clinical realities regarding product purity, addiction potential, and drug-drug interactions.
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Behavioral Health Intersections: Understand the dynamic of self-medication for chronic pain, anxiety, and depression.
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Ohio Regulatory Framework: Become familiar with recent regulatory rules classifying synthetic Kratom 7-OH derivatives as Schedule I controlled substances.
Click the links below to sign up for a session.
| | National Prescription Drug Takeback Day | |
On Saturday, October 24, the Drug Enforcement Administration will host DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at locations across the country. DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications. For more information, please visit: www.DEATakeBack.com.
The Board has also published several resources regarding the disposal of drugs in Ohio. The resources can be found on the Board's website or by following this link: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/disposal.
| | Participate in the FDA's DSCSA Small Dispensers Assessment | |
FDA Reminds Compounders not to Use Dietary Supplement Grade Glutathione for Injectables | |
FDA is aware of reports of at least 30 patients who experienced adverse events following the administration of intravenous (IV) glutathione alone or in combination with other ingredients.
The glutathione was compounded by different compounding pharmacies, all of which obtained their glutathione (Lot #229536) from Medisca Inc., U.S. headquarters in Plattsburgh, N.Y. The glutathione was labeled as dietary supplement grade, which is not an appropriate ingredient to make injectable drugs.
For more information, visit the FDA's website here: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/fda-reminds-compounders-not-use-dietary-supplement-grade-glutathione-injectables
| | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Resources for Healthcare Professionals | | |
The healthcare profession is not immune to substance use disorders and mental health conditions. Such medical conditions impair a healthcare professional’s competency, ability, and judgement. Substance use disorders and/or mental health conditions that are left untreated may not only cause a healthcare professional to risk their career but may also endanger the life of a patient.
These medical conditions can be effectively treated, and it is possible for healthcare professionals that are in treatment or recovery to return to practice.
The Ohio Board of Pharmacy encourages all healthcare professionals who may be struggling with a substance use disorder or mental health condition to seek help. Our rules encourage you to seek help if you need it, with no fear of reprisal or repercussions. Specifically, the Board's duty to report rules do not require reporting to the Board if a licensee voluntarily seeks treatment for a mental health condition or substance use disorder.
For more information about the available substance abuse and mental health resources for healthcare professionals, visit our website at: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/Recovery.
| | 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.
| | People call, text, and chat the 988 Lifeline to talk about a lot of emotional needs—not just thoughts of suicide. Whatever your reason, the #988Lifeline is there to help. There is hope. | | |
Ohio Board of Pharmacy
Mike DeWine, Governor | Steven W. Schierholt, Executive Director
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