Michael Angeloni – Page 100

Washington

Engrossed Substitute – ESHB 1047 unanimously passed the Senate. Although it will have to go back to the House of Representatives for concurrence on a technical amendment made in the Senate, it is anticipated the bill will be signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee (D), creating a statewide, voluntary, drug take-back program, funded by manufacturers. The bill includes local pre-emption and sunsets in 2029, if not reconfirmed by the state legislature.

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

Michael Angeloni2018-03-13T15:13:52-04:00March 2, 2018|Washington|

Nebraska

Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) appointed Matthew Van Patton as Medicaid Director, filling a 10-month vacancy left by the outgoing Calder Lynch, who took a position with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Dr. Van Patton previously served as President and CEO of Cadre Medical Technologies, a healthcare technology company, and also as Chief of Staff for U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy (SC R-4). He has a doctoral degree in health administration from the Medical College of South Carolina.

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

Michael Angeloni2018-03-13T16:18:44-04:00March 2, 2018|Nebraska|

Arizona

The House of Representatives passed HB 2633, removing certain requirements included in an opioid omnibus bill, enacted earlier this year. At the federal and state levels alike, NACDS is urging policies that would help address the opioid abuse epidemic, and NACDS also points out the burdens and unintended consequences that some new proposals would create, without helping to address the epidemic. Requirements removed by HB2633 include the following:

Pharmacists are not required to verify with the prescriber when presented with an initial prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance that contains an opioid that is written for more than a five-day supply.
Pharmacists are not required to verify with the prescriber a prescription order for a Schedule II controlled substance that contains an opioid that is written for more than 90 morphine milligram equivalents per day.
Pharmacists are not required to verify with a medical practitioner or the Board of Pharmacy whether the medical practitioner has received a waiver for e-prescribing of Schedule II controlled substances that contain an opioid.

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

Michael Angeloni2018-03-13T16:04:40-04:00February 22, 2018|Arizona|

California

The Board of Pharmacy announced its final regulations for pharmacists to furnish, without a prescription, naloxone, an antidote to reverse opioid overdose, became effective January 27, 2016. The San Francisco Department of Health has published a tri-fold brochuretitled “Opioid safety and how to use naloxone—A Guide for Patients and Caregivers”.

Also in California…On Friday, March 2, the Board of Pharmacy is offering pharmacists one hour of free continuing education credit on law and ethics by attending a live recording of a presentation on law and ethics at the California Department of Consumer Affairs—Building Two, 1747 N. Market Blvd., Room 186, in Sacramento.

Also in California…Reminder: Wednesday, February 28 is the deadline to file an attestation claim for the higher professional dispensing fee in the Medi-Cal fee-for-service program. The attestation period for both the 2016 and 2017 calendar years is open until February 28, 2018. Separate attestations must be submitted for each calendar year. The web portal will close at 12 a.m. on Thursday, March 1, 2018, and attestations will not be accepted after that time. The attestation for each calendar year reporting period will determine the professional dispensing fee component of the pharmacy claim reimbursement for claims with dates of service within the State’s following fiscal year. As an example, a 2017 calendar year claim volume attestation will determine the professional dispensing fee for claims within the State’s 2018—2019 fiscal year (dates of service of Sunday, July 1, 2018, through Sunday, June 30, 2019). For additional information, providers may refer to this background information regarding migration to cost-based reimbursement plus a professional dispensing fee or can refer to the Pharmacy Provider Self-Attestation FAQs or the Pharmacy Reimbursement Project webpage on the Department of Health Care Services website.

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

Michael Angeloni2018-03-13T16:03:10-04:00February 22, 2018|California|

Colorado

With support from NACDS, the Colorado Retail Council’s chain drug committee hosted a legislative luncheon in the Capitol where chain pharmacists educated lawmakers on the business of pharmacy and our 2018 legislative agenda which includes mandatory e-prescribing legislation. This annual event has proven to be an excellent way to enhance the visibility of chain pharmacies in the Capitol.

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

Michael Angeloni2018-03-13T16:00:25-04:00February 22, 2018|Colorado|

Louisiana

On February 21, Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) convened a special fiscal session of the legislature to deal with an estimated $1 billion shortfall for its 2018-2019 budget beginning on Sunday, July 1, 2018.

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

Michael Angeloni2018-03-13T15:59:08-04:00February 22, 2018|Louisiana|

Oklahoma

HB 2931, legislation that would mandate electronic prescribing introduced by Rep. Glen Mulready (R), is scheduled to be heard in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, February 28.

Also in Oklahoma…NACDS sent the Board of Pharmacy a letter requesting that they establish a Technician Task Force stakeholder group to explore all issues related to enhancing the use of technicians in retail community pharmacies.

Also in Oklahoma…On February 13, chain and independent pharmacists and pharmacy students participated in the annual Oklahoma Pharmacists Association’s Day at the Capitol which NACDS supported. After a briefing by Sen. Rob Standridge (R) and others, the group walked the halls to educate lawmakers on mandatory e-prescribing and other pending legislation important to pharmacies.

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

Michael Angeloni2018-03-13T15:57:27-04:00February 22, 2018|Oklahoma|

Pennsylvania

Legislation what will allow pharmacists to provide emergency 30-day refills has been signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf (D) as Act 8 of 2018. Specifically, Act 8 will allow pharmacist to provide a patient who is on a drug that is either essential to sustaining his life or to maintaining a consistent drug therapy, a 30-day refill without a prescription. Under current law, a pharmacist can only provide one refill of the prescription limited to a 72-hour supply. The act was effective upon signing.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Michael Angeloni2018-03-13T15:52:12-04:00February 22, 2018|Pennsylvania|

Texas

The Health and Human Services announced that beginning February 12, they began coverage of mosquito repellents for the prevention of the Zika virus. The benefit will run continuously year-round.

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

Michael Angeloni2018-03-13T15:49:44-04:00February 22, 2018|Texas|

About Michael Angeloni