One federal policy, many potential state responses

State boards of pharmacy are already working through the implications of HHS’s new interim peptide policy. Utah has announced that its Division of Professional Licensing will exercise limited enforcement discretion consistent with the federal policy, provided every condition is met. Arizona is discussing the issue at a meeting today, and other states are undoubtedly weighing their options.

Here’s the concern: Federal enforcement discretion doesn't bind the states. Each can chart its own course, potentially creating a patchwork of restrictions that undermines the patient access HHS is trying to preserve. And when state regulators weigh their options, they listen to people they know and trust. That makes your relationship with your state board of pharmacy more important than ever.