“Momentum has been building for pharmacists to retain some of the authorities they acquired during the pandemic and expand their scope of practice even further,” according to Drug Store News on August 9. A close look at nine states examines how each one granted pharmacists expanded scope of practice. Belawoe Akwakoku, with the National Community Pharmacists Association agrees that the pandemic displayed how well pharmacists respond to challenges and their readiness to broaden their scope of practice.
Alaska’s recent dental hygienist graduates report a three month wait time to receive their license, according to KTUU on August 24. The Alaska Division of Corporations, Businesses and Professional Learning says current staffing shortages impact the ability to review applications in a timely manner. The Alaska Dental Society Executive Director David Logan, however, says the industry continually experiences these delays. “Through several administrations,” Logan said. “There’s always a reason why these seem to take long.” Logan and other society members plan to bring the idea of temporary licensing to the legislature to help solve the licensing delays.
According to the Rio Rancho Observer, the New Mexico Cannabis Control Division approved and issued 1,027 licenses, since the division started issuing them in the fall. Numbers shared by the division to lawmakers on the Legislature’s interim Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee reveal sales of adult-use cannabis generated $88 million so far in recreational sales for cannabis businesses. According to CCD, the division issued 292 licenses to retail businesses, 188 to producers and 91 to manufacturers – the three main license types. The New Mexico Cannabis Control Division “regulates and licenses cannabis producers, manufacturers, retailers, couriers and testing and research laboratories operating in the medical and adult-use markets to ensure public health and safety,” according to their website.
According to Lancaster Farmer on August 26, licensing milk dealers in Pennsylvania uses antiquated standards, making the licensing process complicated. For example, the state’s Milk Marketing Law exempts those who purchase or handle fewer than 1,500 pounds per month, if the board issues an exemption. “That 1,500 pounds per month was probably the standard set when farms had one to two cows for home use and only sold what might be left over to neighbors or others,” reports Carol Hardbarger secretary of the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board. “That figure is not sensible for today’s world, but there is a dilemma in that it is in the law.”
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