Pursuant to Iowa Code section 155A.46, the Board has developed, in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, statewide protocols which authorize a pharmacist to:

  • Order and dispense an FDA-approved opioid antagonist to reverse opioid-related overdose,
  • Order and dispense nicotine-replacement tobacco cessation products,
  • Order and administer immunizations,
  • Initiate point-of-care testing and treatment of acute influenza, and
  • Initiate point-of-care testing and treatment of acute Group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. 

The statewide protocols authorize the pharmacist to be the ordering practitioner under these protocols.

Naloxone Dispensing Program

As of July 1, 2020, community pharmacies in Iowa can submit electronic claims for reimbursement for naloxone nasal spray prescriptions for Iowa residents 18 years of age or older.

Point-of-Care Test and Treat - COVID 19

At this time, the Board has not approved a statewide protocol for testing and treating for COVID-19.

  • Federal HHS issued a 12th Amendment to its PREP Act Declaration in which it authorizes pharmacists, through December 31, 2029, to order and administer COVID-19 therapeutics which are:
    • Authorized or approved by FDA and
    • Administered orally, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously
  • The amendment also authorizes qualified technicians and interns to administer COVID-19 therapeutics
  • Individuals who will be ordering and/or administering COVID-19 therapeutics must:
    • Maintain current CPR certification
    • Complete ACPE-approved training which includes:
      • Hands-on injection technique, if administering intramuscular therapies,
      • Clinical evaluation of indications and contraindications of COVID-19 therapeutics,
      • Recognition and treatment of emergency reactions to COVID-19 therapeutics, and
      • Any other training required by the FDA.
  • Training programs which are known to the Board at this time (note this may not be all-inclusive and does not imply Board endorsement):
  • Pharmacists are required to be readily and immediately available to technicians when administering COVID-19 therapeutics
  • Pharmacies must retain records of the order/administration of COVID-19 therapeutics and report the administration to the patient’s primary care provider, if known.
  • Pharmacies which intend to order/administer COVID-19 therapeutics (pursuant to the HHS PREP Act or by Board-approved SWP, if available) shall update the pharmacy profile in the board’s database to indicate “yes” to the pharmacy service “Statewide Protocol - COVID-19 Test and Treat”.