Colorado
March 30, 2020 is the deadline for all technicians to be certified with the Board of Pharmacy.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Florida
H.B. 389, sponsored by Representative Tyler Sirois (R) in the House and Senator Travis Hutson (R) in the Senate, was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis (R) on March 11, 2020 and becomes effective July 1, 20202. This measure authorizes pharmacists to test for and treat influenza and streptococcus. This bill also authorizes collaborative pharmacy practice agreements between pharmacist and physician in certain circumstances; requires agreements to be appropriate to training & scope of practice of pharmacist and physician; requires maintenance of records & specified pharmacists to report certain diseases of public health significance to DOH and provides requirements for written protocol between pharmacist and supervising physician.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Illinois
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted an updated Medicaid Preferred Drug List.
Also in Illinois… The Illinois Pharmacist Association and the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists announced Pharmacy Legislative Day will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 in Springfield. Click here for more information and to register.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Iowa
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R ) announced the reappointment of two members of the Board of Pharmacy: Brett Barker, PharmD of NACDS member company NuCara Pharmacy, and Gayle Mayer, RPh.
Also in Iowa… The Iowa Department of Human Services announced the delay of the Medicaid pharmacy changes outlined in Informational Letter No. 2086-MC-FFS scheduled to be effective March 18.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Kentucky
Gov. Andy Beshear signed an Executive Order on March 10 giving emergency authority to pharmacists in reaction to the COVID-19, authorizing pharmacists in the Commonwealth to: dispense emergency refills of up to a thirty (30) day supply of any non-controlled medication for residents of any county of the Commonwealth; temporarily operate a pharmacy in an area not designated by permit; dispense drugs as needed to treat COVID-19 pursuant to protocols established by the CDC or the NIH or determined to be appropriate by the commissioner of public health or his designee to respond to the circumstances causing the emergency. The order expires on April 8, 2020 but may be renewed.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Louisiana
Working with our in-state partner the Louisiana Retailers Association, NACDS was successful in identifying strong bill sponsors to pre-file two pharmacy bills prior to the start of the 60-day session which began on March 9th.
- SB 296 by Sen. Regina Ashley Barrow would allow pharmacists to administer vaccines other than the influenza vaccine to individuals younger than 17 years without a prescription; and allow pharmacists to administer the influenza vaccine to individuals younger than 7 years without a prescription, consistent with pharmacists’ ability to provide such vaccines to older patient populations.
- HB 459 by Rep. Joseph Stagni will would allow pharmacists to be reimbursed by commercial health plans for patient-care services within the pharmacist’s scope of practice
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Maryland
HB 512, legislation which would require controlled substances to be electronically prescribed, has passed the Maryland House of Delegates unanimously and been sent the Senate for consideration in advance of the crossover deadline. Sponsored by Del. Erik Barron (D), the bill is a joint initiative of NACDS and the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores (MACDS). Both organizations testified at hearings and have been on the ground advocating to advance this measure.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Human Services will host a webinar on Friday, March 20, 2020 at 1 pm Central to share information about the upcoming cost of dispensing survey. The survey will go out in April.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Missouri
The Missouri Pharmacy Association (MPA), the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, and the University of Missouri Kansas City will offer training and resources to pharmacists in pain management guidelines and de-escalating therapy/tapering at a session held at the MPA Legislative Day on April 1, 2020. Click here for more information and to register for this free event.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.