Assemblywoman Mia Bonta (D) introduced AB 50, legislation permitting pharmacists to provide over-the-counter contraceptives without following the protocols required for prescription contraceptives.
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and weekly notice on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The General Assembly formed a bi-partisan and bi-cameral task force to hear proposals for drug cost containment and PBM regulation in advance of the 2025 legislative session. NACDS participated in the opening meeting on December 4 and will continue to be a presence throughout the working group’s meetings. NACDS has also met with all four co-chairs of the task force to highlight our policy priorities and states that have taken helpful and thorough action. The task force will be breaking down their work into four subcommittees: (1) PBM oversight, (2) Importation and Shortages, (3) Pricing and 340B and (4) Patient Protection, Rare Diseases, and Innovation. These subcommittees will each meet three times. The task force’s final meeting is scheduled for February 11, 2025.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
With an effective date of November 27, the Insurance Division published ARC 8427C as adopted and filed emergency rule making related to timely payment of pharmacy claims.
Also in Iowa, the Insurance Division published ARC 8429C as a Notice of Intended Action. This Notice of Intent is to solicit public comment on the above emergency rulemaking; see ARC 8427C. This proposed rulemaking is related to timely payment of pharmacy claims and providing an opportunity for public comment. Written comments may to submitted to the Division no later than 4:30 pm on December 19. A public hearing will be held on December 19 from 10:00 am-11:00 am.
Finally in Iowa, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Medicaid posted INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2647-MC-FFS-D – January 2025 Medicaid Pharmacy Program Changes, effective January 1, 2025.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
MedImpact, the state Single PBM, issued a communication clarifying that the prohibition on automatic refills does not include 90-day fills.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
On December 6, the Board of Pharmacy published new regulations relative to pharmacy licensing and the Continuous Quality Improvement Program.
Created six new license categories for certain types of pharmacy practice:
The proposed changes explain which license types are needed for which activities, set forth the eligibility requirements and procedures for obtaining each type of license, and set forth grounds for denial of licensure due to lack of suitability. The proposed changes update requirements related to the change of a pharmacy’s manager of record, location or ownership, pharmacy renovations and the closure of a pharmacy. The proposed changes remove practice standards from this section in order that all such practice standards may be aggregated at 247 CMR 9.00.
Requires pharmacies to establish and implement a “Continuous Quality Improvement Program,” meaning a system for identifying and documenting prescription dispensing errors; notifying affected patients, and health care providers as necessary; analyzing the error to identify causes and contributing factors; and using the information to improve pharmacy systems and workflow.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The Medicaid Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board posted the January 14 meeting agenda.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The New England States Consortium Systems Organization (NESCSO) contracted with Myers and Stauffer LC to perform a pharmacy cost of dispensing survey for the Medicaid programs of five of the NESCSO member states. State agencies included within the cost of dispensing survey effort include the following: Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Cost of dispensing surveys were anticipated to be distributed on December 4 to pharmacies that participate in the Medicaid programs in the above referenced NESCSO member states. The due date for the cost of dispensing survey is January 15, 2025. All providers are encouraged to participate. The cost of dispensing survey tools and instructional letters will be posted here by December 4. Myers & Stauffer will host two webinars to answer any questions – December 12 at 3:00 pm and December 17 at 8:30 am. To participate in these webinars, you are required to RSVP to 1-800-374-6858 or disp_survey@mslc.com.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
On December 18, the Board of Pharmacy will be holding its next regular meeting. The meeting agenda includes proposed rules updates to pharmacy rules 100, 200 and 300. Meetings are held at 9:00 am at 7 Eagle Square, Concord NH 03301. Zoom options are available.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
On December 9, the Assembly Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance held a second hearing on A4953, Patient and Provider Protection Act, legislation that includes PBM reforms. NACDS submitted a letter to the Committee Chair Roy Freiman (D) who also sponsored the bill. The bill was amended and recommitted within the committee.
Also in New Jersey, on December 9, the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens held a hearing on A1899 and S1981, companion bills that would expand vaccine and pharmacy technician authority. The bills were approved by the committee and expect action on the Senate floor on December 19. NACDS will continue to advocate for expedited passage of this bill.
Finally in New Jersey, on December 11, the Board of Pharmacy held its regular scheduled meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for January 22, 2025.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.