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So far Erica Joyner has created 377 blog entries.

Pennsylvania

After several weeks of intense negotiations and multiple meetings among the General Assembly and stakeholders, HB 1993 (Rep. Jessica Benham-D) passed and was signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) as Act 77 of 2024. The bill includes significant commercial PBM reform provisions and an expansion of pharmacist immunization authority to include ACIP vaccines for children aged eight years and older and pharmacy technician immunization authority for COVID and Flu for ages 13 years and older. Many thanks to the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drugs Stores, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association and Value Drug Co. and all who put many hours of work into getting it across the finish line.

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

2024-07-18T12:58:10-04:00July 18, 2024|Pennsylvania|

South Carolina

Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed HB 3988, legislation that authorizes pharmacists to administer non-flu vaccines to persons 16 years of age and older, to order and administer flu and COVID tests and to delegate both vaccine administration and the administration of tests to pharmacy technicians working under their supervision. The act took effect upon signature of the Governor.

Also in South Carolina, on July 1, 2024, the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) became two separate agencies, the Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) and the Department of Public Health (DPH). Additionally, DHEC’s retail food program and milk and dairy lab moved to the Department of Agriculture (SCDA). You can visit the linked agencies for your needs or visit the DHEC homepage to choose the correct agency website.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2024-07-18T12:57:33-04:00July 18, 2024|South Carolina|

Tennessee

CVS Caremark will contact low-volume pharmacies and pharmacy services administrative organizations (PSAOs) this month with information regarding its re-billing and re-processing updates to comply with 2022’s Public Chapter 1070 for claims from January-October 2023. Due to the switch from AWP to NADAC pricing, some pharmacies may need to pay recoupment fees to CVS Caremark. The Tennessee Pharmacy Association has been in contact with CVS Caremark representatives and legislative leadership and is working to communicate with PSAOs about this change and next steps pharmacies can take to prevent financial losses. Pharmacies should submit rate review requests to CVS Caremark before submitting external appeals to the Department of Commerce and Insurance to rectify this situation.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2024-07-18T12:56:58-04:00July 18, 2024|Tennessee|

Virginia

The Board of Pharmacy issued the following communication to licensees:

“In response to House Bill 2147, passed during the 2023 General Assembly Session, the Board of Pharmacy is reminding pharmacy personnel that federal laws require minimum standards in certain situations regarding patient translation services for prescription drugs. Specifically, pharmacy personnel are encouraged to review and consult with their management regarding the pharmacy’s compliance with the following federal laws: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d) regarding discrimination based on race, color, or national origin by any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. § 794) regarding discrimination based on a disability from any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance; and Title III of the American with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 12181 to 12189; 28 C.F.R. Pt. 36) regarding discrimination at a place of public accommodation which includes a pharmacy. Please note the Board is unable to provide legal advice on this matter. However, additional information may be found in the Board of Pharmacy Report Regarding the Provision of Translated Directions for Use of Prescriptions submitted to the Virginia General Assembly on December 7, 2023.Please also be aware that the Board will adopt regulations and guidance by December 31, 2024, for accessible prescription labels to assist the blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled as required by House Bill 516, passed during the 2024 General Assembly Session.”

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

2024-07-18T12:56:15-04:00July 18, 2024|Virginia|

California

This week, SB 966 (Wiener) passed the Senate floor with a vote 39-0-1. SB 966 includes provisions that would prohibit the use of “spread pricing”. The bill would also provide other vital reforms, including requiring 100% pass-through of manufacturer rebates to plan sponsors to keep patient premiums low, prohibiting the steering of patients to PBM-affiliated pharmacies and requiring PBMs to obtain a license to operate in the state.

Also in California, SB 1365, legislation increasing the pharmacist to pharmacy technician to 1:4, was placed on the suspense file by the Senate Appropriations Committee and, subsequently, held in committee.

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alert and weekly report on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.

Also in California, as a reminder, this will be the final opportunity to attest for the upcoming fiscal year 2024-2025. For details, review “Pharmacy Provider Dispensing Fee Self-Attestation”. All attestations must be received by May 31 to be accepted. Attestations will not be accepted after closing on May 31; there are no exceptions.

Also in California, the Medi-Cal Rx Diagnosis Crosswalk Navigation, video and the Medi-Cal Rx Reinstatement – Implementation of Reject Code 80 video have been published.

Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following:

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2024-05-24T10:48:34-04:00May 24, 2024|California|

Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed HB 7072, the Tax Package for Fiscal Year 2024-25. The package provides $1.07 billion dollars in tax relief and includes several sales tax holidays that provide Floridians with substantial sales tax relief.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2024-05-24T10:47:39-04:00May 24, 2024|Florida|

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