HB 388, sponsored by Rep. Donna McDowell White (R), was signed by Gov. Roy Cooper (D). Effective Tuesday, October 1, this measure stipulates that an immunizing pharmacist may administer serogroup B meningococcal, human papillomavirus and hepatitis A vaccines to persons at least 18 years of age. It also lowers the age for influenza vaccinations to 10 years.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) signed into law SB 848, limiting Schedule II controlled substance prescriptions for acute pain to a seven-day supply.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The legislature adjourned its biennial session on May 27. Prior to adjournment, the following bills of interest to chain pharmacies were sent to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to sign into law. The governor has until Sunday, June 16 to decide whether to sign or veto a bill, or let it become law without his signature. Unless otherwise specified, the effective date is Sunday, September 1.
Also in Texas… Other bills of interest to chain pharmacies that have been signed by Gov. Abbott recently include the following:
Also in Texas… With hurricane season in effect, the Health and Human Services Commission has prepared resources to keep Texans healthy and safe in the event of a natural disaster.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health, Board of Pharmacy, published the following rules effective May 20, 2019.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
HB 2174 has been sent to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) for signature. The legislation requires e-prescribing for Schedule II-V controlled substances prescriptions effective January 1, 2021, with exceptions consistent with NACDS’ model legislation. Additionally, for the treatment of acute pain, a practitioner may not issue a prescription for an opioid in an amount that exceeds a 10-day supply or provide for a refill of an opioid.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed into law HF 766, which, among its provisions, includes appropriations for health and human services. The Act codifies pharmacy reimbursement at Average Acquisition Cost (AAC) and establishes a professional dispensing fee of $10.07 for the fiscal year beginning Monday, July 1. Also, this reimbursement methodology serves as a rate floor for Medicaid managed care.
Also in Iowa… The Board of Pharmacy issued a press release to remind pharmacy stakeholders about revised rules for the Prescription Monitoring Program that took effect on May 15. Changes include policies pertaining to reporting elements, delegation and registration. Questions can be directed to Jennifer Tiffany and Sharon Smith.
Also in Iowa… Gov. Reynolds also signed into law SF 563, which requires Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to submit an annual report to the Iowa Insurance Commissioner. The report must include information such as the administrative fees collected and rebates received that the PBM does not pass on to its customer health plans.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Gov. Laura Kelly (D) vetoed the funding in the state budget bill for KTRACs, the state’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. She cited the $705,000 that would be transferred from the Medical Program Fees would have to be backfilled by the State General Fund. The Board of Pharmacy will likely receive a federal grant to cover this expense. If not, the governor will work with the Board of Pharmacy on alternative non-State General Fund options.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Kate Massey has been appointed Medicaid Director and will begin serving on Friday, June 7. Her most recent role was chief executive officer of Magellan Complete Care of Virginia. Ms. Massey also has worked in leadership roles for Kaiser Permanente and Amerigroup.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) signed LB 556 into law pertaining to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). The law adds new reporting requirements that are specific to the state’s PDMP, which runs through the state’s health information exchange. Although effective May 1, the Nebraska Health Information Initiative (NeHII) and Department of Health and Human Services are allowing additional time for compliance and will continue to use ASAP 4.2 in the meantime. NACDS and the Nebraska Pharmacist Association worked with NeHII to address member concerns throughout the legislative process. Questions can be directed to PDMP Program Director Kevin Borcher at 402-290-2635.
Also in Nebraska… Gov. Ricketts signed into law LB 316 pertaining to Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) effective April 24. The law prevents a PBM or health plan from prohibiting or penalizing a pharmacist or contracted pharmacy from sharing information regarding a drug’s cost, price or copay, or from discussing or selling a more affordable alternative to a covered individual. Additionally, the law prevents an insurer from requiring a covered individual receiving a drug from paying an amount that exceeds the lesser of the copayment, deductible or coinsurance for such prescription drug or an amount any individual would pay for that medication if paid in cash.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
