NACDS sent a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) urging him to sign HB 1919 into law, legislation that would help maintain patients’ right to choose a pharmacy provider by prohibiting health benefit plans and pharmacy benefit managers from “steering” patients to use any particular in-network pharmacy provider over another.  In addition, we have been urging member companies to also contact the Governor’s office.

Also in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy hired a new Executive Director/Secretary Tim Tucker, Pharm.D., replacing Allison Benz who announced earlier this year that she would be retiring on August 31, 2021. The Texas press release can be found here.

Also in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy adopted several rules that became effective June 9, 2021.

  • Final rule extends the time that Schedule II prescriptions are valid to 30 days to conform to federal standards and removes a reference to the effective date of the pharmacy responsibility provisions.
  • Final rule allows pharmacists to electronically sign the data entry attestation statement. The rule also updates references to the DEA 222 order form requirements for distributing Schedule II controlled substances.
  • Final rule extends the time that Schedule II prescriptions are valid to 30 days to conform to federal standards.
  • Final rule corrects statutory and regulatory cross-references in the requirements on pharmacy operation.

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission has several COVID-related upcoming weekly seminars now open for registration.

  • Webinar Tuesdays: Actively Administering & Advanced VAOS Users: For COVID-19 vaccine coordinators and providers who have received an order of the COVID-19 vaccine and are actively administering the vaccines. The state will share important news updates, clinical considerations, and advanced user tips on the systems and processes to support you.
    • June 15, 12:00PM-1:30PM CT – Register here
    • June 22, 12:00PM-1:30PM CT – Register here
    • June 29, 12:00PM-1:30PM CT – Register here
  • Webinar Thursdays: Basics & Beginners: For providers who are new to the COVID-19 vaccine management program and/or have not yet received an order of the vaccine. We discuss important news updates, how to access VAOS, and how to get started with placing orders.
  • June 17, 12:00PM-1:30PM CT – Register here
  • June 24, 12:00PM-1:30PM CT – Register here

Lastly in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will resume publication of the quarterly Specialty Drug List in July. Please see the stakeholder notice.pdf for more information

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.