The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has released the "Internet Drug Outlet Identification Program Progress Report for State and Federal Regulators." NABP conducted a four-week study using keyword searches of prescription drug terms on social media platforms and found numerous posts promoting the sale of medications and providing links to illegal online pharmacies. NABP is working with social media companies on ways to better screen and monitor their platforms for links to such illegal sites.
October 02, 2018
August 23, 2018
US: Occupational Licensing Board Antitrust Damages Relief and Reform Act introduced
The Occupational Licensing Board Antitrust Damages Relief and Reform Act would offer protection to state boards, board members, and their staff members from damage awards coming from private antitrust litigation if certain criteria are met. For any new occupational licenses, there must be a sunrise review. For existing boards, there must be periodic sunset review unless the occupation is licensed in at least 40 states. Also, all board members must be selected by an officer of the state and boards must have public representation. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Education and the Workforce.
June 25, 2018
US House hears testimony on occupational licensing
The House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development recently heard testimony on licensing and its effects on economic growth. The subcommittee indicated that the issue should be left primarily to the states to consider regulation's effect as a potential barrier to employment. The testimony considered voluntary certification as an alternative to occupational licensing but also noted recent bills in Louisiana and Missouri to address over-regulation that raised concerns about crossing into the area of nongovernmental professional certifications.
May 22, 2018
Update: new gun dealer licensing plan in Illinois
A new bill related to gun dealer licensing has passed the Illinois Senate. This version would require gun dealers to certify their federal license with the Illinois State Police rather than register with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation as in the previous bill that was vetoed.
May 08, 2018
UK: GDPR and professional regulatory rules
As the General Data Protection Regulation is set to become effective on May 25, 2018, this article discusses what the implications may be for professional regulatory bodies and the professionals they regulate. Overlap does exist between the GDPR and professional regulatory rules regarding the requirement for professionals to keep clients' information confidential as well as the emphasis on data protection at an organizational level. Following implementation of GDPR, regulated professionals could face discipline from both their regulatory body and the Information Commissioner in the form of fines and possible criminal charges for violations.
April 24, 2018
Delaware: opioid restrictions result in fewer prescriptions
One year after passing stricter regulations on the prescribing of opioids, statistics from the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation note that 14% fewer opioid prescriptions were issued by Delaware practitioners in the first quarter of 2018 compared to Q1 2017. The total quantity of opioids dispensed in the time period declined by 18%.
March 21, 2018
Update: Illinois governor vetoes gun dealer licensing bill
Illinois governor Bruce Rauner has vetoed a bill that would have required gun dealers to be licensed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The governor noted that the federal government already licenses firearms retailers and "another layer of oversight would do little to improve public safety." Following the veto, the Senate continued to vote on various gun reform legislation. A vote to override the veto will be called in April, requiring 36 votes to overturn Rauner. Meanwhile, candidates for Illinois Governor spoke about gun control policies.
March 14, 2018
CNA explores expanded membership
The Canadian Nurses Association is considering expanding its membership categories to include licensed/registered practical nurses and registered psychiatric nurses, partly in response to changes in British Columbia. Beginning in May 2018, four categories of registered nurses in BC will merge under one professional association, and the Association of Registered Nurses of British Columbia, a CNA member, will cease to exist. The new association in BC will include nursing categories not currently included in CNA membership. The CNA is also considering the expanded membership in order to bring unity and collaboration within the nursing profession, representing all nursing groups and promoting intra-professional collaboration. A two-thirds majority of voting delegates is required to pass the bylaw change at the June 18 annual meeting.
March 06, 2018
Illinois: legislation on gun dealer licensure awaits signature
A bill approved in the Illinois House and Senate would require anyone selling, leasing or transferring ownership if firearms to be licensed by teh Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. There would also be a training requirement for gun dealers and their employees related to how to conduct background checks. The legislation now awaits the governor's signature.
February 06, 2018
Ontario: opposing doctors must refer for assisted death
Ontario's Divisional Court has upheld regulations that require a doctor to refer a requesting patient to a practitioner who will perform assisted death procedures if they themselves oppose assisted death. The court held that the referral rule is a reasonable limit on doctors' right to religious freedom in order to allow patients equitable access to publicly funded healthcare services. The federal law on assisted death provides for freedom of conscience and does not require physicians to perform or assist with assisted death; however, Ontario's regulations do call for an "effective referral."
