Arkansas lawmakers will return to the Capitol on September 29th to finalize the redistricting maps and conclude the regular session. Gov. Asa Hutchinson is waiting on legislators to reach a consensus on tax reform before calling a special session.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
NACDS submitted a comment letter (View comment letter here) to the Board of Pharmacy recommending they maintain the existing Prescription Drug Monitoring Program rule language requiring reporting of dispensing transaction data “no later than the outlet’s next regular business day.”
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency issued an Emergency Order effective immediately recognizing qualified pharmacy technicians’ authority to immunize 19 and older adults for the flu.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The Board of Pharmacy issued guidance related to monoclonal antibody administration by pharmacists, including a reminder of recordkeeping and requirements to order and administer COVID-19 therapeutics.
Also in Iowa, the Board of Pharmacy alerted licensees and registrants about recent phishing scams by individuals posting as Board employees.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
MassHealth is adopting new policies for the prescribing and dispensing of ivermectin. MassHealth is imposing new quantity limits of 20 ivermectin tablets per 90 days. This edition of Pharmacy Facts details of those updates in policy.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) is hosting a webinar on October 8th aimed at helping pharmacists identify and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse in the MO HealthNet pharmacy program. Pre-registration is required – (Click here to register).
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy held a full board conference call meeting on September 2 to discuss issuing an emergency rule to address pharmacy staffing shortages related to COVID-19 and flu vaccinations. As a result, the Board of Pharmacy adopted temporary emergency rules, effective September 14, 2021, and expiring on January 11, 2022, including the following:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Department of Health and Human Services issued a Health Alert Network Update notifying healthcare providers and facilities that COVID-19 monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy has a new indication for post-exposure prophylaxis via emergency use authorization. As of September 13, the US Government began allocating mAb therapy; infusion sites will no longer order mAb therapy directly from distributors.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Department of Health has issued two requests to pharmacies. The first asks that pharmacies review its list of participating vaccination providers and make changes if needed. The list is being shared with businesses to encourage them to contact a participating local provider to conduct onsite vaccination clinics. ODH is also asking pharmacies to fill out a survey related to children’s COVID vaccines to gauge vaccine provider availability. Survey participants also have the option to, and are encouraged to share with ODH, any barriers they might face to providing those vaccination opportunities to younger children, as well as any supports that could make vaccinating younger children more feasible.
Also in Ohio, earlier this year, ODM announced the selection of seven managed care organizations (MCOs) who will partner with the Department to evolve the delivery of managed care services for its more than 3 million members and thousands of medical providers. The seven MCOs selected for the next generation managed care program are:
Providers who are interested in contracting with Ohio Medicaid’s next generation MCOs are encouraged to contact the MCOs. Contact information for the MCOs can be found on the Resources for Providers webpage of the next generation website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.