VirginiaSB4212026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Pharmacist; remote verification and counseling in opioid treatment programs.

Sponsored By: Barbara A. Favola (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Remote pharmacist verification and counseling in opioid treatment programs. Authorizes a pharmacist licensed in the Commonwealth to exercise verification, counseling, and supervision duties remotely when a pharmacy technician or other authorized personnel dispenses medication prescribed for the management of opioid use disorder at a federally certified opioid treatment program.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Video pharmacist help at opioid treatment programs

If you get care at a federally certified opioid treatment program, a pharmacist can counsel you by live video. The pharmacist can verify methadone or other opioid use disorder medicines over real-time, two-way video during operating hours. A trained technician can give the medicine if the pharmacist is Virginia-licensed and in good standing, is immediately available by live video and can watch, does all required professional checks before dispensing, and the program follows all federal rules. These programs can use remote supervision instead of having a pharmacist on site.

Rules for remote pharmacy at treatment programs

The Board of Pharmacy sets the tech, training, record, privacy, and safety rules for remote services. The rules can let one pharmacist be in charge of more than one site and may require at least one on-site day each month. Opioid treatment programs can choose whether to use remote supervision. The Board can still enforce standards and take disciplinary action. The Board can issue these rules without the usual state rulemaking process.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Barbara A. Favola

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 213 • No: 8

House vote 2/27/2026

Passed House

Yes: 91 • No: 5

House vote 2/24/2026

Reported from Health and Human Services

Yes: 19 • No: 3

House vote 2/19/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/10/2026

Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/9/2026

Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/6/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/6/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/5/2026

Reported from Education and Health

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0345)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 345 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026Senate
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB421)

    3/4/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB421ER)

    3/4/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    3/4/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    3/4/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/4/2026House
  10. Passed House (91-Y 5-N 0-A)

    2/27/2026House
  11. Read third time

    2/27/2026House
  12. Read second time

    2/26/2026House
  13. Reported from Health and Human Services (19-Y 3-N)

    2/24/2026House
  14. Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

    2/19/2026House
  15. Assigned sub: Health Professions

    2/16/2026House
  16. Read first time

    2/13/2026House
  17. Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

    2/13/2026House
  18. Placed on Calendar

    2/13/2026House
  19. Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/10/2026Senate
  20. Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/9/2026Senate
  21. Read second time

    2/9/2026Senate
  22. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/6/2026Senate
  23. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/6/2026Senate
  24. Passed by for the day

    2/6/2026Senate
  25. Rules suspended

    2/6/2026Senate

Bill Text

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