Utah
The Board of Pharmacy posted the following:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Virginia
The Department of Health (VDH) has updated the COVID-19 Vaccine Standing Order to reflect the recent EUA (Emergency Use Authorization) of Novavax. For pharmacies enrolled in VaxMax, Novavax will become available for ordering beginning August 4th. You can view the COVID-19 Vaccine Standing Order on the VDH website. The Summary of Authorities for Pharmacists to Administer COVID Vaccines has also been updated.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Washington
The Health Care Authority announced that the University of Washington Pain and Opioid Provider Consultation Hotline is a free telephone consultation service for health care providers caring for patients with chronic pain issues. Any health care provider in Washington State can receive consultation and recommendations from a pharmacist or physician with specialized expertise in chronic pain care.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Arkansas
Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced that the Secretary of Health Dr. Jose Romero is resigning on May 6th to take a job with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Arizona
On March 30, Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed HB 2490 (Chapter 98), providing clarity for collaborative practice agreements including requirements, rules, and definitions.
Also in Arizona, on March 24, Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed HB 2612 (Chapter 59), removing certain occupational licensing requirements and regulations that applicants/persons must be “of good moral character” to be approved for certain licenses and certifications including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
Finally, in Arizona, on March 25, Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed SB 1639 (Chapter 78), that requires integrating a medical practitioner’s electronic medical records system with the state’s Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program (CSPMP) central database tracking system either directly or through the statewide health information exchange or a third-party vendor, by December 31, 2026.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
California
As a reminder regarding the COVID-19 declaration of emergency, the Board of Pharmacy has a webpage dedicated to Pharmacy Law Waivers; interested parties may sign up to receive the Board’s alerts for the most up-to-date information. Also, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) has a webpage dedicated to DCA Waivers and Guidance Documents..
Also in California, as a reminder, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) eased DUR edits in Medi-Cal Rx until May 1. NACDS and the California Retailers Association have been in communication with the DHCS staff to request advance notice be provided to pharmacy providers of the Department’s plans for these DUR edits in advance of May 1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Georgia
The Georgia Board of Pharmacy is excited to announce and introduce the first installment of a new “Newsletter.” The newsletter will be produced on a quarterly basis and is intended to provide insights and updates on the profession of pharmacy in Georgia. The newsletter will also be posted on the GBOP website for easy access as well. Since the newsletter is a new resource, the Board asks that you please distribute it to others in your organization or staff.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Iowa
The Board of Pharmacy published the following Notices of Intended Action. Written comments may be submitted until 4:30 p.m. on April 26. A public hearing will be held at 10:00 a.m. on April 27 at the offices of the Board and via Zoom.
- ARC 6279C– amending Chapter 3, “Pharmacy Technicians” and Chapter 6, “General Pharmacy Practice to permit remote processing
- ARC 6280C – amending Chapter 12, “Precursor Substances” to add one chemical as a precursor substance in response to similar action taken by the DEA.
- ARC 6182C – amending Chapter 8, “Universal Practice Standards,” and Chapter 19, “Nonresident Pharmacy Practice” to provide modification of the handling of ownership changes, add requirements for nonresident pharmacies and other changes.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Missouri
In advance of the April 12th Senate Insurance and Banking hearing on HCR HB 1677, NACDS submitted a letter supporting certain provisions of the legislation that would strengthen Missouri’s PBMs laws to enhance patients’ ability to receive pharmacy care from their pharmacy of choice and improve provisions for fair and equitable standards for the management of pharmacy benefits. In our letter, NACDS specifically called out support for the provisions that would prohibit PBMs from preventing, penalizing or restricting patients’ ability to obtain services from a contracted pharmacy; the provisions that would enhance the appeals process to requiring PBMs to increase a pharmacy’s reimbursement in instances when reimbursement is found to be below a pharmacy’s cost for purchasing a drug; and the provisions that would prevent PBMs from imposing unwarranted fees on claims related to administering a health plan.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.