inthenews, Author at In The States

About inthenews

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far inthenews has created 1086 blog entries.

New York

This week, the Senate unanimously passed the pharmacy technician registration and certification proposal (NY-SB 5584). The bill will now be sent to the Assembly for its consideration.

Also in New York… NACDS joined the Chain Pharmacy Association of New York State and the New York pharmacy coalition in a meeting with the acting Medicaid Director Donna Frescatore to discuss the expanded roles that pharmacies can play in providing healthcare to the state’s Medicaid recipients.

Also in New York… This week, both the Senate and the Assembly passed NY S9100 / NY A9576-B, legislation that would require drug manufacturers to pay for public education, collection, transport and destruction of leftover drugs. It would also require mail-order pharmacies and pharmacy chains of 10 or more stores to provide on-site collection, vouchers for prepaid mail-back envelopes or other U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-approved methods of drug disposal. The legislation also includes language pre-empting county/local ordinances. The Governor has until the end of the calendar year to sign the legislation into law.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

inthenews2018-06-22T11:47:57-04:00June 21, 2018|New York|

North Dakota

Per a recent newsletter, effective June 21, the Medicaid policy for first fill of narcotic prescriptions changed from a 14-day supply to a 7-day supply. This change was made as an effort to align with the PQA Opioid Core Measure set.

Also in North Dakota… The Department of Human Services announced the recent redesign of its website.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

inthenews2018-06-22T11:45:40-04:00June 21, 2018|North Dakota|

Oregon

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a notice to Medicaid pharmacy providers on May 25 regarding the requirement that prescribers (including those administering immunizations) register with the OHA by Saturday, September 1.

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

inthenews2018-06-22T11:45:19-04:00June 21, 2018|Oregon|

Texas

Governor Greg Abbott (R) announced the appointment of a new president and five new members to the State Board of Pharmacy.

Dennis Wiesner, a pharmacist and recently retired senior director of privacy, pharmacy and government affairs for H-E-B, was appointed president.
Donald “Donnie” Lewis of Athens is a staff pharmacist for Malakoff Pharmacy and Tyler Hematology Oncology Pharmacy.
Rick Fernandez of Northlake is a healthcare director at Walgreens, overseeing 550+ pharmacy locations in the Texas, Oklahoma and Southern New Mexico.
Daniel Guerrero of San Marcos is a former three-term Mayor and City Council Member for the City of San Marcos. He currently serves as a lecturer in the McCoy College of Business at Texas State University and as a business development consultant with J.L. Powers & Associates.
Lori Henke, Pharm.D. of Amarillo is the director of pharmacy at Northwest Texas Healthcare System.
Julie Spier of Katy is the director of pharmacy operations for the southern division of Albertsons, Randalls and Tom Thumb, where she oversees 158 locations in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.

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

inthenews2018-06-22T10:20:15-04:00June 21, 2018|Texas|

California

Dr. Karen Smith, the Department of Public Health’s Director and State Health Officer, issued a naloxone standing order to counter the effects of opioid overdose. The order allows organizations that cannot prescribe naloxone to distribute it to those who are at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose and to other persons in a position to assist during an opioid-related overdose. The order also authorizes the administration of naloxone to assist a person experiencing or suspected of experiencing an opioid overdose by a family member, friend or other person who has received training from an opioid overdose prevention and treatment training program. Entities can apply for the standing order online.

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

inthenews2018-06-19T10:54:56-04:00June 14, 2018|California|

Colorado

On June 6, Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) signed into law HB 18-1313 that clarifies that a licensed and qualified pharmacist may serve as a practitioner and prescribe over-the-counter medication pursuant to a collaborative pharmacy practice agreement. The law is effective Wednesday, August 8.

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

inthenews2018-06-19T10:53:39-04:00June 14, 2018|Colorado|

Louisiana

Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced that he will be convening a third special session for 2018 on Monday, June 18 through Wednesday, June 27 aimed at fully funding higher education.

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

inthenews2018-06-19T10:49:27-04:00June 14, 2018|Louisiana|

Mississippi

Legislative amendments made during the 2018 Legislative Session provided a variety of new flexibilities to the Division of Medicaid, including the removal of the statutory cap on physician visits per year and prescription drugs per month. As the agency explores these possibilities, Medicaid-enrolled providers, beneficiaries and other stakeholders should be aware the current DOM policy remains in place and will not change Sunday, July 1.

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

inthenews2018-06-19T10:48:10-04:00June 14, 2018|Mississippi|

Nebraska

NACDS reminds members operating in Nebraska that LB 931, legislation enacted in April with provisions pertaining to opioid prescription limitations and positive identification of persons taking receipt of dispensed opioid prescriptions, will become effective Thursday, July 19.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

inthenews2018-06-19T10:46:44-04:00June 14, 2018|Nebraska|