Community Pharmacy

 
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What you need to know

​​​Governor Ricketts Ends Coronavirus State of Emergency

Governor Pete Ricketts announced the end of Nebraska's coronavirus state of emergency. The Governor issued the state of emergency declaration on March 13, 2020. It officially ended at 11:59 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.  The Governor issued Executive Order (EO) 21-09 to rescind pandemic-related executive orders.  With a few exceptions, the coronavirus executive orders will expire on July 30, 2021, which is thirty days after the state of emergency ends. Full text of EO 21-09 is available by clicking here.


Anyone intending to start, operate or maintain a pharmacy in Nebraska must first have a pharmacy license.

NOTE: A hospital that dispenses drugs or devices to people who are current, registered patients within that hospital does not need a separate pharmacy license. A hospital dispensing to people who are not registered as patients must have a community pharmacy license.

A community pharmacy license is only issued to the premises and persons named in the application. It cannot be transferred or assigned to anyone not named in the application. If the property is sold or moved, the license is terminated. The new owners must apply for a new pharmacy license.

Important Reminder for Pharmacies Regarding Pharmacy Technicians:

Anyone employed as a pharmacy technician on or after January 1, 2016, must be certified by a board-approved certifying body within a year of being registered.

Click here for approved certifying options.


Amendments

 
  • There is no charge to amend a Community Pharmacy license.
  • A change of ownership, closing, or a move terminates the license. The owner must apply for a new pharmacy license.

Reasons for an amendment:

  • Change of Pharmacist in Charge (PIC)
    A pharmacy must have a PIC designated AT ALL TIMES. There is no grace period; however, the pharmacy has 30 days to notify us in order to amend the licensee information.
  • Continuation of Pharmacy License by Heirs/Estate of the Deceased
    When the person named on the pharmacy license has died, the heirs or the executor of the estate have 30 days to notify us in order to amend the licensee information.
  • Change of Pharmacy Name
    When there is a change in the name of the pharmacy, the licensee must notify us in writing within 5 working days.

Submit the following to obtain an amended license:

  • Application to Amend a License to Operate a Pharmacy  - Keep a copy of this application for your records. Send the original to us.
  • Pharmacy Permit showing the current expiration date and the name of the outgoing PIC - Be sure to keep a copy of the license and send the original to us.
  • Controlled Substance Inventory - Keep the original and send a COPY to us. Complete this inventory at the time of the PIC change. This does not change your normal annual inventory date.

Inspection Information

The Department follows a common format for an onsite inspection report called a Pharmacy Quality Assurance Report, or PQAR. Some pharmacies find the PQAR helpful for reviewing areas of compliance prior to a Pharmacy Inspector conducting an onsite inspection. Once an onsite pharmacy inspection is completed, the pharmacy will receive a dated copy of the inspection. Note the date of the initial on-site inspection, as this will become the date that your self-inspection is due every year thereafter. 

Annual Self-Inspection
All community pharmacies are required to complete an annual self-inspection using the PQAR form, available from the Department. This self-inspection will be due each year on the date of the facility's initial on-site inspection. The facility may complete the PQAR up to 30 days prior to the due date and submit it to their pharmacy inspector for review (addresses available at below link).

Pharmacy Inspectors

Pharmacy Inspector Listing by County

John Hayes, RP
Phone: (402) 416-3534
E-mail: john.hayes@nebraska.gov​  

Dean Willson, RP
Phone (402) 237-9865
E-mail: dean.willson@nebraska.gov

Melissa Pollard, RP
Phone (402) 405-7595
E-mail: melissa.pollard@nebraska.gov 



 

Office of Medical & Specialized Health Licensing
Department of Health & Human Services/Division of Public Health/Licensure Unit
Phone Number
(402) 471-2118
 
Fax Number
(402) 742-8355
Mailing & Physical Addresses

DHHS Licensure Unit
Attn: Pharmacy
PO Box 94986
Lincoln NE 68509

 

Nebraska State Office Building
301 Centennial Mall South, 3rd Floor

14th & M Streets

Lincoln NE 68509-4986

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  Closed federal holidays.