Topic: Law

This continuing education activity transforms the perception of HIPAA from a mandatory checklist to a vital element of patient care and professional ethics. Through the analysis of real-life case studies and scenarios, participants will examine the practical consequences of privacy violations, ranging from minor errors to high-stakes breaches. The course also explores the unique challenges of maintaining confidentiality across diverse practice settings, including independent, hospital, and chain pharmacies. Pharmacists will leave with actionable strategies to navigate complex privacy issues and strengthen patient trust.

This program provides an overview of the responsibilities that are accepted by a practice site’s Pharmacist-in-Charge for compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements. The program reviews the challenges that are faced by a PIC who must monitor all professional activities at a pharmacy practice site. The program focuses on potential threats to quality patient care by pharmacy team members who are not committed to basic regulatory compliance principles, with suggestions for systematic procedures that can be adopted by a PIC to facilitate legal practices in the provision of pharmaceutical products and services.

Unlock the future of pharmacy practice with this evidence-based session on Standard of Care (SOC) and its transformative impact on the profession. This program will break down the legal concept of SOC, comparing it to Bright Line Rules and examining its application in pharmacy. Through a review of published literature, legal frameworks, and more, attendees will gain insight into how states across the country are shifting toward this model and what it means for pharmacists and technicians. The session will outline the step-by-step approach states have taken to implement and advocate for SOC, highlighting both the barriers and opportunities that come with this change. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how SOC empowers pharmacy professionals to practice at the top of their license, the legal trends driving state-level movements, and actionable strategies for advocacy and implementation. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead of shifts and be part of the future of pharmacy practice.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) oversees the regulation of drugs subject to abuse and pharmacists are aware of their 5 schedules. However, the classification of a drug is not fixed and may be updated over time. This activity will examine DEA scheduling criteria and highlight examples of substances being considered for changes, demonstrating different regulatory rationales.  Four drugs with distinctive regulatory and public policy characteristics, marijuana, psychedelic drugs, kratom, and tianeptine, will be compared and the possible impact of these changes on pharmacy practice will be discussed.

The public is bombarded with direct-to-consumer (DTC) prescription drug advertising from many different types of media. DTC drug advertising has become a controversial issue with some officials proposing that they be eliminated. The FDA regulates DTC prescription drug advertising with a focus on ensuring that risks are disclosed and preventing the dissemination of false and misleading claims. The advent of radio and TV advertising required modifications to regulations on drug promotion, and modern communication methods, especially the internet, have introduced newer challenges for regulators. This activity will describe the evolution of DTC regulation and discuss ongoing efforts to meet the challenges.