Texas
NACDS is drafting expanded scope legislation for the 2021 session.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Alabama
Alabama Medicaid Agency has issued an ALERT stating that all previously published expiration dates related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency are once again extended. The new expiration date is the earlier of June 30, 2020, the conclusion of the COVID-19 National emergency, or any expiration date noticed by the Alabama Medicaid Agency through a subsequent ALERT.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Arkansas
NACDS was successful in placing an op-ed on vaccinations signed by Steve Anderson in Talk Business and Politics, an on-line Arkansas publication that covers business and political communities. The opinion letter title was “For COVID-19 vaccinations, all signs point to pharmacists.”
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
NACDS continues to try to remove the remaining laboratory requirement in California that poses a barrier to pharmacies expanding COVID-19 testing. NACDS and our in-state partner, the California Retailers Association, followed up with the California Department of Public Health Testing Task Force and Health and Human Services Agency providing detailed information from other states on the safe administration of these tests by pharmacies not subject to such laboratory requirements.
Also in California... As the June 30, 2020 end of the fiscal year approaches, the Board of Pharmacy is encouraging pharmacists, advance practice pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and designated representatives are encouraged to renew your license online to avoid a possible delay in processing.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Colorado
Colorado General Assembly reconvened on Tuesday, May 26th with a number of major changes in place at the Capitol to keep legislators safe.
Also in Colorado... Legislation NACDS supported, HB20-1061, that would allow pharmacists to provide HIV medications to patients, was heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on May 27th.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Georgia
Emergency rule of the Board of Pharmacy adopts regulations under GAC 480-2-0 to waive certain practical examination licensing requirements for pharmacy professionals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rule was effective May 18th and shall be effective for the duration of the emergency and for a period of not more than 120 days thereafter.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Louisiana
The regular session of the state legislature is scheduled to adjourn at 6 PM on June 1, 2020. Immediately after adjournment, at 6:01 PM, Gov. John Bel Edwards is expected to convene a special session to finalize the budget through June 30, the constitution deadline date for a balanced budget.
Also in Louisiana... The Board of Pharmacy held a full Board meeting via Zoom on May 27th . The Board discussed problems with adequate testing sites for pharmacy graduates, and a pending House Concurrent Resolution 71 that if passed and signed by Gov. Edwards, would temporarily suspend the annual licensing fees imposed by licensing boards and agencies on businesses. The Board plans to hold an emergency virtual Board meeting in June to take action on these two issues.
Also in Louisiana... NACDS submitted a comment letter raising concerns about adding seven medications that are used to treat hepatitis, as well as gabapentin and oral liquid formulations of promethazine to the drugs of concern list that must be reported to the Prescription Monitoring Program.
Also in Louisiana... NACDS confirmed that Sen. Mark Abraham will not pursue passage of SB 488, legislation that would have prohibited chain pharmacies from enforcing any policy which would restrict the quantity or dosage of a prescription for a controlled substance or restricts a filling a prescription for a controlled substance issued by a specific prescriber.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Maryland
Gov. Larry Hogan (R) issued an executive order to allow pharmacists to order, and to collect or supervise the collection of tests for COVID-19.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Minnesota
The Minnesota Board of Pharmacy published a Summary of 2020 Legislation, as well as guidance for implementing HF 3100, the Minnesota Insulin Safety Net Program. The program is to be operational by July 1, 2020, but numerous challenges persist.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.