The Board of Pharmacy posted numerous guidance updates related to the expiration of the Public Health Emergency and the policies and waivers they adopted during the COVID pandemic, including: 

To view the full list, go to Pharmacy.Ohio.Gov.   

Also in Ohio, the Ohio Department of Medicaid and Gainwell Technologies are continuing the reimplementation of prior authorizations (PA) based on specific drug classes. Of note, the PA reimplementation only applies to new, initial authorizations. It does not apply to those patients who have previously taken the drug supported by recent claims history prior to May 23, 2023. Phase 6 of reimplementation will begin on May 23 and contain the following:   

  • Analgesic Agents: Gout  
  • Blood Formation, Coagulation, and Thrombosis Agents: Colony Stimulating Factors, Hematopoietic Agents, Hemophilia Factor, Heparin-Related Preparations, Oral Anticoagulants, Oral Antiplatelets 
  • Cardiovascular Agents: Angina, Hypertension and Heart Failure, Antiarrhythmics, Lipotropics  
  • CNS Agents: Alzheimer’s Agents, Anticonvulsants Rescue, Fibromyalgia Agents, MAT of Opioid Addiction, Movement Disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, Narcolepsy, Neuropathic Pain, Smoking Deterrents
  • Endocrine Agents: Diabetes- Hypoglycemia treatments, Endometriosis, Estrogenic Agents, Growth Hormone, Osteoporosis-Bone Ossification Enhancers, Progestin Agents, Uterine Fibroids 
  • GI Agents: Pancreatic Enzymes, Proton Pump Inhibitors 
  • Genitourinary Agents: Electrolyte Depleter Agents, Urinary Antispasmodics
  • Infectious Disease: Antibiotics-Inhaled 
  • Ophthalmic Agents: Antibiotic and Antibiotic-Steroid Combination Drops and Ointment, Antihistamines and Mast-Cell Stabilizers, Dry Eye Treatments, Glaucoma Agents, NSAIDS, Ophthalmic Steroids 
  • Otic Agents: Antibacterial and Antibacterial/Steroid Combinations 
  • Respiratory Agents: Antihistamines-Second Generation, Cystic Fibrosis, Epinephrine Auto-Injectors, Hereditary Angioedema, Inhaled Agents, Leukotriene Receptor Modifiers & Inhibitors, Monoclonal Antibodies-Anti-IL/Anti-IgE, Nasal Preparations, Other Agents 
  • Topical Agents: Antifungals, Antiparasitics, Corticosteroids 

Please reference the Unified Preferred Drug List (UPDL) posted on the SPBM portal to see products that require a PA. PAs may be submitted via phone, fax, mail and the SPBM portal. Please direct questions to the Gainwell Technologies Help Desk at 1-833-491-0344.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.