Effective July 1, 2020 the Alabama Medicaid Agency will remove prior authorization (PA) from Mometasone nasal spray (generic Nasonex) and Modafinil (generic Provigil). Brand Nasonex and Provigil will now require PA. They will also update the Preferred Drug List to reflect the quarterly updates. The updates can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Board of Pharmacy will be conducting its June 9, 2020 Board meeting via Zoom. For more information on the agenda and conference information, go to the Board’s website the morning of the meeting – https://www.pharmacyboard.arkansas.gov/june-2020-board-meeting/22100446
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
NACDS is seeking member comments on Board of Pharmacy approved regulations changing pharmacist consultation requirements that now require either the consultation occur within 10 minutes or a return business call within one business hour. The regulations are currently under final review at the Office of Administrative Law.
Also in California... The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) that oversees Medi-Cal announced that Director Brad Gilbert is retiring in June.
Also in California... The Board of Pharmacy adopted an Emergency rule under 16 CCR 1747 to establish standards for initiating and providing to patients’ HIV preexposure and postexposure prophylaxis and related recordkeeping requirements. The rule was effective April 30th and expires October 27, 2020.
Also in California... In advance of the June 2nd Assembly Appropriations Committee hearing, NACDS and the California Retailers Association weighed in on two issues important to chain pharmacies. We submitted a joint letter supporting legislation which will extend for five years the sunset on existing law that allows pharmacists to furnish sterile syringes without a prescription (AB 2077-Ting). We also submitted a joint letter opposing a bill which would prohibit pharmacies from automatically contacting prescribers to authorize a prescription for any dangerous drug or device for more than a 7-day supply refill without authorization from the prescriber or patient. The bill also requires a pharmacy to obtain separate authorization for each prescription and would prohibit a pharmacy from requesting more than the number of refills authorized in the original prescription. (AB 2983-Holden).
Also in California... The Board of Pharmacy posted important information for pharmacies that were vandalized, looted or set on fire during recent violence in California.
Also in California... The Board of Pharmacy is scheduled to meet on June 18, 2020 via teleconference. The agenda and instructions on how to join the meeting will be posted on the meetings page at the Board’s website.
Also in California... Expecting a delay in processing payments for license renewals submitted by mail during the last week of June and first two weeks of July, the Board of Pharmacy recommends that if your license expires June 30 or July 1, 2020, you need to mail payment by June 11, 2020 to ensure the online verification system accurately reflects your renewal status process during the delay period. Alternatively, pharmacists, advance practice pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and designated representatives can renew your license online, and the processing of online renewal payments will not be delayed.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy alerted pharmacies to remain vigilant during this period of social unrest as criminals may seek the opportunity to gain access to controlled substances.
Also in Nevada... The Board of Pharmacy met on June 3rd via conference call. Link to agenda and meeting materials – https://bop.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/bop.nv.gov/content/board/ALL/2018_Meetings/5.15.2020.June%202020%20Amended%20Agenda.p
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Primary elections were held on Tuesday, June 2nd. Early returns indicate that four powerful incumbent Senate Democrats may have lost their primary contests: John Smith – Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Mary Kay Papen – Senate President Pro Tempore, Clemente Sanchez, Chairman of the Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee, and Richard Martinez, Former Chair of Senate Judiciary Committee.
Also in New Mexico... On June 18, 2020, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is convening a special session on the budget. The state shortfall for the next fiscal year is estimated to be as high as $2.8B due to plunging oil and gas revenues and the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, there is an estimated shortfall between $368M and $483M for the current fiscal year.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The New York State Legislature has passed S.8182A/Hoylman/A.10508-A Paulin which authorize licensed pharmacists to administer any approved vaccine for COVID-19. The bill will proceed to the Governor for review and signature before year’s end.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) issued a request for qualifications from vendors to provide COVID-19 testing and contact tracing. NCDHHS is seeking to create a pool of qualified vendors to support the response to COVID-19 by providing diagnostic and antibody testing including specimen collection and laboratory processing and contact tracing. The RFQ can be found here. The first deadline to respond to the RFQ is 2 p.m. on June 9, 2020. Qualified applicants will be notified on June 17, 2020. This is a rolling qualification process and vendors will be able to submit a response by the first of very month through December. In addition, the NCDHHS anticipates issuing future RFQs for other functions beyond testing, lab capacity and contact tracing.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Rep. Bill Roemer (R) has introduced HB 673. This legislation authorizes licensed pharmacists and pharmacy interns to administer immunizations for COVID-19. Specifically, this measure states that licensed pharmacists and pharmacy interns are authorized to administer COVID-19 immunizations to individuals aged seven and older. Additionally, it allows for pharmacists to conduct COVID-19 diagnostic and antibodies tests. The House Local and State Government Committee heard proponent testimony this week. NACDS is on record supporting the bill.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Pharmacy Caucus Co-Chair, Sen. Judy Ward (R) issued a co-sponsorship memo for a bill that would exempt a pharmacy or pharmacists from the laboratory experience requirements, clearing a barrier remaining to pharmacists to perform COVID-19 testing.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.