Missouri Board of Pharmacy issues emergency prescription waiver to assist Missourians impacted by May 16 tornadoes and severe storms

Reposted by City Emergency Management Agency for impacted resident's awareness on 5/22/2020, 10 AM CST

Email: news@dci.mo.gov
Phone: (573) 751-2562

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Board of Pharmacy has issued an emergency waiver to assist Missourians in need of critical prescription medications following the devastating tornadoes and severe storms that struck Missouri on May 16.

The action comes after Governor Mike Kehoe issued Executive Order 25-24 authorizing the board to temporarily waive or suspend any statutory or administrative rule under its purview to best serve the interests of public health and safety.  

“Due to the extensive damage and widespread disruption caused by the storms, many residents have lost access to their homes and belongings and are now in need of urgent prescription refills,” Missouri Board of Pharmacy Executive Director Kimberly Grinston said. “The health and safety of Missourians is our top priority, and this waiver will help provide continued care and access to important medication.”

The provisions of § 338.200.2, RSMo, are waived to allow pharmacists to dispense a 30-day emergency supply of medication for patients in disaster-impacted areas if the medication is a non-controlled substance and the pharmacist determines it is within his or her professional judgment that an extended supply is needed to avoid interruptions to patient care.

For medication packaged in units exceeding 30 days, pharmacists may dispense the smallest unit or container available in inventory if deemed necessary to meet the patient’s emergency needs.

This will ensure that individuals whose prescriptions or prescription records were lost or destroyed, or whose original prescribing physician is unavailable, can continue to receive needed medications even if the pharmacy has not previously dispensed or refilled the prescription.

To view the waiver, click here.