Emergency Rules Adopted: Postgraduate Medical Training

The WMC has amended?WAC 246-919-330(4)?Postgraduate medical training via emergency rulemaking. The amendment eliminates the outdated requirement for consecutive years of training in no more than two programs. The WMC will continue this emergency rule until the post graduate medical training standards are adopted through the permanent rule making process.

The immediate amendment of WAC 246-919-330 was necessary for the preservation of public health, safety, and general welfare. Continued demand for health care professionals, especially qualified physicians, make it essential that qualified applicants are able to obtain licensure. This action will result in increasing the quantity of health care professionals able to respond to current and ongoing staffing demands.?Learn More

Policy: Interested Parties Meeting

On Friday, December 8, 2023, the WMC will hold a Policy: Interested Parties meeting beginning at 10 am. The meeting will be held virtually via Teams. Register to attend this meeting here:?WMC Policy: Interested Parties

The purpose of this meeting is to allow anyone to comment on and suggest changes to the WMC?s policies, guidance documents, procedures, and interpretive statements. The WMC encourages open discussion on the items on the agenda. Please submit your comments to?[email protected] by December 7, 2023. The agenda, as well as the draft documents to be discussed, can be found on our Policy Meetings page.

Improving Access to Vaccines in Washington:
How Pharmacies Can Help

December 14, 10:00-11:00 a.m. PT

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians play an integral role in Washington having one of the highest vaccination rates in the nation, administering 41% of all COVID-19 vaccines and?64% of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine. Thank you for contributing to this effort!?Unfortunately, with the transition of COVID-19 vaccines to a commercial market, access to vaccinations is harder for some and understanding the programs available can be confusing at times.?To help provide clarity, the Washington State Department of Health?s Power of Providers Initiative is sponsoring an upcoming webinar to share current information about vaccine access programs for pharmacies. The panel of experts will:

?- Discuss the key role of pharmacies in providing COVID-19 vaccinations in Washington.

?- Describe the need for increased vaccine access in medically underserved areas.

?- Explain how pharmacies can obtain reimbursement for vaccines administered to un- and underinsured patients.

?- List best practices for patient education to improve vaccine confidence.

You can read more about the panelists and register here.?This webinar will be recorded and there is no cost to attend. We are pursuing continuing education (CE) credits for pharmacists who attend. We will provide information on how to apply for CEs prior to the event.