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So far Karen White has created 182 blog entries.

Colorado

HB 18-1313, legislation chain pharmacy supported that clarifies that pharmacists are practitioners for the purposes of prescribing under statewide protocols, passed both Houses and was sent to Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) for his consideration.

Also in Colorado…The Board of Pharmacy is convening a stakeholder meeting on Monday, June 11 to solicit input on the following proposed draft rules before commencing the formal rulemaking process.

  • Rule 3.05.00 – Would establish a new rule acknowledging pharmacist’s ability to issue a prescription for and dispense OTC medications to recipients under the Colorado Medical Assistance Act.
  • Rule 6.00.00 – The purpose of any proposed amendments to Board Rule 6.00.00 is to address the requirements of drug therapy management.
  • Proposed draft changes to Rule 14.00.40 would require any telepharmacy that dispenses more than 50,000 dispensing units in a calendar year to register with the Board as a prescription drug outlet.
  • Proposed draft changes to Rule 14.00.80 would establish an inspection and visitation timeline based on dispensing volume for consultant pharmacists with responsibility over telepharmacy sites.
  • Proposed draft revisions to Rule 17.00.00 outline the specific education / training to participate in statewide protocols as part of collaborative pharmacy.
  • Proposed draft revisions to Rule 17.00.00 Appendix A replace references for “prescribing” contraceptives pursuant to the statewide protocol with references to “dispensing” contraceptives pursuant to the statewide protocol
  • Proposed draft revisions to Rule 17.00.00 Appendix B replace references for “prescribing” smoking cessation products pursuant to the statewide protocol with references to “dispensing” smoking cessation products pursuant to the statewide protocol
  • Rule 25.00.14 – Would allow and address the corresponding expectations of involved pharmacists in the packaging and labeling of medication for a specific patient by an automated device at a specialized prescription drug outlet.

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

2018-06-05T12:18:07-04:00May 31, 2018|Colorado|

New Hampshire

The state legislature adjourned on May 23 after taking up several legislative proposals of interest. Gov. Christopher T. Sununu (R) signed into law SB 332, legislation facilitating medication synchronization, and SB 333, legislation allowing pharmacy interns to administer the same vaccinations for which pharmacists are authorized to administer. HB 1791, legislation permitting substitution of interchangeable biologics and declaring that contracts between insurers/PBMs and pharmacies shall not contain a provision prohibiting the pharmacist from providing certain information to an insured which would prove beneficial in lowering prescription drug costs, and HB 1822, legislation making hormonal contraceptives available directly from pharmacists via a standing order, have passed both legislative bodies and will be considered by the governor. Finally, HB 1418 establishes a commission to study greater transparency in pharmaceutical costs and drug rebate programs. The study report is due by Thursday, November 1.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

2018-06-05T12:12:25-04:00May 31, 2018|New Hampshire|

Tennessee

Effective Sunday, July 1, all pharmacies participating in the TennCare or CoverKids pharmacy program must have a valid TennCare issued Medicaid ID. Failure to obtain a valid Medicaid ID may result in rejected claims and disqualification as a provider for these networks. This requirement applies to MagellanRX and Express Scripts and any subsequent pharmacy benefits manager for TennCare or CoverKids. Pharmacies that need a Medicaid ID are required to register through the TennCare electronic registration portal.

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

2018-06-05T12:09:16-04:00May 31, 2018|Tennessee|

Colorado

This week, Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) signed into law SB 18-022 that includes a seven–day opioid prescribing limit.

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

2018-06-01T14:42:46-04:00May 24, 2018|Colorado|

Connecticut

The state legislature adjourned after passage of SB 197 (Public Act No. 18-74), permitting substitution of interchangeable biologic products, and SB 246 (Public Act No. 18-77), directing the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services to make recommendations for automatic fills in the Medicaid fee-for-service program. The legislature rejected a proposal requiring the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program database be checked each time an opioid is filled and also rejected a proposal prohibiting prescriptions of Narcan® (an opioid antagonist) to a family member. With the entire legislature up for re-elections, controversial budget issues were punted until after the election.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

2018-06-01T14:42:23-04:00May 24, 2018|Connecticut|

Iowa

Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed into law SF 2322 into law, effective 90 days after adjournment, containing a wide-ranging provisions impacting community pharmacy. The bill authorizes the Board of Pharmacy to develop statewide protocols for naloxone, nicotine replacement products and immunizations. Once the statewide protocol for immunizations takes effect, pharmacists will have independent authority to provide immunizations, meaning a local protocol or a prescription from a physician is no longer required. Pharmacists will be able to administer flu vaccines to patients age six months of age and older (currently eighteen years and above, except in public health emergencies). Pursuant to a protocol to be developed by the Board in consultation with the Department of Public Health, pharmacists will be able to administer the final two doses of HPV vaccination to patients eleven years of age and older. The law also permits technician product verification in the community and hospital settings, charging the Board of Pharmacy with issuing rules for implementation. NACDS acknowledges the Iowa Pharmacy Association for its leadership and advocacy efforts to enact this legislation.

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

2018-06-01T14:41:55-04:00May 24, 2018|Iowa|

Louisiana

The Department of Health has been working towards developing a single preferred drug list (PDL) to be used for both the Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) and the Medicaid managed care (MCO) programs, thereby replacing the six different Medicaid drug lists currently in use. Comments on the draft PDL will be accepted via email before Thursday, May 31.

Also in Louisiana…On May 22, Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) convened a two-week special session to address a $648 million budget deficit. This is the sixth special session the Governor has called in the past two years. A balanced budget must be enacted by the start of the next fiscal year on Sunday, July 1.

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

2018-06-01T14:41:10-04:00May 24, 2018|Louisiana|

New York

NACDS joined the Chain Pharmacy Association of New York State and New York pharmacy community to talk with key state legislators during a lobby day focused on drug take back initiatives. Currently, there are several pending legislative proposals in both the Assembly and the Senate. It remains unclear which of these proposals will advance. 

Also in New York…NACDS attended the recent meeting of the New York State Board of Pharmacy. During the meeting, Surescripts led a discussion on the quality improvements in electronic prescribing as part of its prescription accuracy initiatives. Also, several board members suggested a discussion of supervising pharmacists’ roles, requirements and responsibilities as a topic for a future meeting.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

2018-06-01T14:40:42-04:00May 24, 2018|New York|

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