Board OKs listening sessions to study pharmacist ‘duty to consult,’ plans separate sessions for clinicians and patients

The California State Board of Pharmacy voted Jan. 7 to authorize staff, working with the chair of the Enforcement and Compounding Committee, to schedule listening sessions to gather input on the board’s duty‑to‑consult requirements.

Chair Maria Serpa told the board the committee is in the early stages of evaluating current consultation requirements and proposed holding separate listening sessions tailored to licensees and to patients/consumers. ‘‘The committee believes additional feedback from licensees and the general public on these challenges is essential before considering any potential regulatory changes,’’ she said.

Board members discussed modalities and outreach: some members said multiple sessions for licensees would increase participation and suggested using trade meetings, surveys and Webex as options; staff said technology platforms can expand reach but in‑person meetings may be needed to reach some populations.

Sean Kim, representing the California Pharmacists Association, told the board CPHA ‘‘fully support[s] this motion’’ and offered assistance with stakeholder outreach. Webex commenter Steven Gray urged the board to include Medi‑Cal and federal Medicaid representation and to invite pharmacy schools, citing a USC School of Pharmacy study on the value of prescription consultation.

The board approved a motion delegating to the committee chair the authority to work with staff on scheduling and tailoring listening‑session questions for intended audiences.

What happens next: Staff and the committee will plan session formats, outreach to stakeholder groups and publish session questions in meeting materials ahead of the events.