Development of a rubric to assess pharmacy regulatory models

Abstract Introduction Licensure of pharmacy personnel and facilities is overseen by state boards of pharmacy, which varies from state to state. Two broad approaches to the regulation of health care professions are bright line and standard of care. States in which pharmacists are able to deliver the broadest range of services to patients regulate pharmacy personnel using a standard of care regulatory model. Objectives The objective of this project was to build upon the previous benchmark published in 2021, the Pharmacy Regulatory Innovation Index, which focused on pharmacy personnel, to develop and validate an expanded rubric for assessing innovation in pharmacy regulation including personnel and facilities. Methods The Pharmacy Regulatory Innovation Index was expanded by the study team. After an initial validation of the rubric by analyzing four of the original states, a modified Delphi process was used. The rubric categories were converted to a web‐based survey, which was sent to executive directors or members of boards of pharmacy in western states. These individuals were then invited to participate in a panel session about their perceptions of pharmacy regulations and the approaches used by their boards of pharmacy to regulate pharmacy personnel and facilities. Results An initial rubric was developed using the Pharmacy Regulatory Innovation Index as a baseline. Four changes were made to the rubric based on the results of the Delphi Process and weighting was increased for two categories and decreased for two categories as a result of panel feedback. Conclusion The completed Pharmacy Regulatory Assessment Rubric can be used as a tool to evaluate pharmacy regulatory innovation in the United States. It can also be used to support advocacy efforts.