Gov. Brad Little (R) signed into law HB 10, creating the first multi-state pharmacy licensure compact. The goal is to have a pharmacist’s license function similarly to a driver’s license that would be universally recognized.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
HB 19-1077, legislation allowing a pharmacist to dispense an emergency supply of chronic maintenance medications under certain circumstances to a patient without a prescription, passed the House on January 28. For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Also in Colorado…SB19-079, legislation mandating electronic prescribing of controlled substances which passed the Senate earlier this month without any opposition, will be heard in the House Public Health Committee.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced that they are targeting the Medi-Cal pharmacy fee-for-service reimbursement rate changes to begin Saturday, February 23. DHCS will retroactively adjust impacted claims with dates of service between April 1, 2017 and February 23, 2019.
Also in California…The Department of Health Care Services is reminding pharmacies that the online attestation portal opened for fee-for-service Medi-Cal pharmacy providers seeking the higher of two professional dispensing fees as part of the forthcoming reimbursement changes for covered outpatient drugs will end on Thursday, February 28.
Also in California… NACDS and the California Retailers Association submitted a joint letter to the Senate Business and Professions Committee in support of AB 149, legislation allowing for a staggered implementation of the new serialized number requirement. Under AB 149, serialized numbers on security forms for controlled substances would take effect no later than Wednesday, January 1, 2020. In addition, the measure would authorize dispensers to fill prescriptions written on otherwise valid forms that do not meet the new serialized number requirement until Friday, January 1, 2021.
Also in California… Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed an executive order last month that seeks to create a single purchaser for prescription drugs. Specifically, the order seeks to create negotiating leverage for prescription drug costs by moving all purchasing of high-cost, “high-priority” pharmaceuticals to one entity and, with respect to Medi-Cal, all pharmacy services to fee-for-service.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
There are several bills of interest to chain pharmacies that are expected to be heard in the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee in the next two weeks, including HB 1278, a bill allowing pharmacists to vaccinate anyone 7 years of age and older without a prescription; HB 1164, legislation allowing pharmacists to dispense oral contraceptives without a prescription and HB 1269related to substitution of interchangeable biosimilars.
Also in Arkansas…The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed SB 174, legislation supported by chain pharmacies and Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) that mandates electronic prescribing of controlled substance prescriptions. The full Senate is expected to take action soon.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
NACDS submitted a statement to the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee conveying general support for LB 442, legislation that would facilitate pharmacists to provide medication synchronization services.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
NACDS submitted a statement to the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee in support of SB19-079, legislation that would require Schedule II, III and IV controlled substance prescriptions to be electronically prescribed. The legislation subsequently passed the Senate and was introduced in the House and assigned to the Public Health Care & Human Services Committee.
Also in Colorado…NACDS submitted a statement to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee opposing SB19-005, legislation establishing a commercial prescription drug importation program in the state. NACDS outlined how the legislation would violate federal law against drug importation, undermine federally mandated security protections of the drug supply chain and increase the risk of counterfeit drugs in the state’s drug supply chain and thereby compromise patient safety.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
SB 2231, pertaining to collaborative practice agreements, was unanimously passed by the Senate and has been delivered to the House. NACDS submitted a letter of support to the preceding Senate Human Services Committee process.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
LB 442, pertaining to medication synchronization, was unanimously advanced from the Banking, Commerce and Industry Committee to the General File. NACDS submitted a letter in support. The Unicameral website featured a short article on the proceedings.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
The State Senate recently approved four appointees to the Pharmacy Examining Board. Franklin “Rocky” LaDien was reappointed to a second term, ending in 2020. Philip J. Trapskin was reappointed to a second term, ending in 2021. Cathy J. Winters was reappointed to a second term, ending in 2021. John Weitekamp was appointed to his first term, ending in 2022.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.