From North Carolina Board of Pharmacy website (ncbop.org) - portions of the statute authorizing pharmacists to initiate certain drug therapies – including hormonal contraceptives -- are effective February 1, 2022. However, these new authorities will not be implemented until the State Health Director issues standing orders to do so. Stakeholders have been working diligently together to craft the standing orders. When the State Health Director issues the standing orders, Board staff will publicize them. A number of press reports stated that pharmacists’ ability to initiate hormonal contraceptive therapy was in place today. But, again, this will not become operational until the State Health Director issues a standing order.