Michael Angeloni – Page 48

Connecticut

This week Connecticut State Officials from the Governor’s Office and Department of Consumer Protection met with NACDS, the Connecticut Community Pharmacy Association and pharmacies to discuss any impediments to pharmacists being able to order, administer and interpret COVID tests. State officials felt strongly that the key to rapidly increasing the testing of its citizens required the support of the pharmacy community. State officials agreed to consider several actions to expedite the process.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-07T09:52:30-04:00May 7, 2020|Connecticut|

Louisiana

The legislature reconvened their session on Monday, May 4, and by constitution, must adjourn by June 1. While the budget is their main focus, several committees did post hearings for this week, including a payment parity bill, HB 459, filed by Rep. Joseph Stagni. The payment parity bill garnered broad support from the Louisiana Pharmacy Congress that represents eight pharmacy organizations — Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding, Louisiana Independent Pharmacies Association, Louisiana Pharmacists Association, Louisiana Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Louisiana State Board of Pharmacy, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, University of Louisiana at Monroe – School of Pharmacy, Xavier University of Louisiana – College of Pharmacy – was scheduled for a hearing in the House Insurance Committee on May 6. Both NACDS launched a RxIMPACT alert to mobilize support for the bill, and so did the Louisiana Pharmacists Association. NACDS and the Louisiana Retailers Association submitted a joint support letter to the committee. Mounting opposition to the bill were the family physicians and insurers led by Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Unfortunately, late Tuesday, the bill was removed from the committee calendar because it was deemed too controversial.

Also in Louisiana... At their April Board of Pharmacy reduced the number of live CE requirements for 2020. They determined it appropriate to modify the CE requirements for pharmacist license renewal for Calendar Year 2021 such that a total of 15 hours of ACPE-accredited pharmacist-specific CE will qualify for license renewal without regard to whether the CE is acquired through live presentations or home study methods.

Also in Louisiana... The Board of Pharmacy is holding a May 29, 2020 hearing on a proposed rule to add nine drugs of concern, including seven drugs for the treatment of hepatitis, promethazine oral liquid formation, and gabapentin. The rule also would add recordkeeping requirements for prescription transactions. NACDS will be submitting a comment letter.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-07T09:51:25-04:00May 7, 2020|Louisiana|

New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Board of Pharmacy Licensed Advanced Practice Technician (LAPT) Committee continues to meet with interested stakeholders, including NACDS, on the duties and educational training for the newly created LAPT position. The committee agreed to draft their recommendations for full Board of Pharmacy consideration at their summer meeting.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-07T09:48:20-04:00May 7, 2020|New Hampshire|

North Carolina

Governor Cooper signed new Executive Order 138. The Executive Order does not lift the stay-at-home order but replaces previous executive orders to begin Phase 1 on Friday, May 8 at 5pm. The order is set to expire on Friday, May 22 at 5pm at which point the Governor will examine whether North Carolina will enter Phase 2.

Also in North Carolina... The General Assembly convened their scheduled short session last Tuesday, April 28 and quickly approved a pandemic relief package of nearly $1.6 billion that Governor Cooper signed into law on Monday, May 4th. The legislation is effective immediately and included, among other items, language that authorizes pharmacists to administer a COVID-19 vaccine or immunization once one is developed and recommended by the CDC. Two liability protection provisions, one covers health care workers, protecting them from civil and criminal liability as they provide COVID-19 treatment and the second protects any essential business whose employees or customers contract COVID-19.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-07T09:46:57-04:00May 7, 2020|North Carolina|

Texas

Prior to the May 5th quarterly Zoom Board meeting, the Executive Director Allison Benz announced that the discussion on expanding technician duties and eliminating the arbitrary ratio would be postponed until the August 4th in-person Board meeting.

Also in Texas... The Health and Human Services Commission’s Vendor Drug Program (Medicaid) finally submitted their 1115 Waiver on April 22nd, that would allow reimbursement to pharmacies for administering flu vaccines, long acting antipsychotics, and drugs used to treat substance use disorder or opioid dependency.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-07T09:44:54-04:00May 7, 2020|Texas|

Virginia

In response to Governor Ralph Northam’s (D) declared state of emergency regarding COVID-19 and as authorized in §54.1-3307.3, the Board of Pharmacy clarified that pharmacists can perform all CLIA-waived point of care tests, including COVID-19 tests. Additionally, they made updates to their Emergency Provisions During the COVID-19 Declared Emergency that includes waiver of the signature requirement as proof of delivery.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-07T09:39:33-04:00May 7, 2020|Virginia|

Washington

The Washington Health Care Authority (Medicaid) has added the following optional benefits to their state plan: Allow pharmacists practicing within their scope of practice to order, collect specimens, conduct and interpret necessary tests, initiate treatment when appropriate, and administer vaccines for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of COVID-19; and allow pharmacists practicing within their scope of practice to administer any prescribed injectable, covered, outpatient drug during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-07T09:36:21-04:00May 7, 2020|Washington|

Wisconsin

The Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin (PSW) has appointed Sarah Sorum, PharmD, as its new Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Sorum has been with PSW since 2007 in various roles, including as its PSW Senior Vice President of Professional and Educational Services, before being named Interim CEO. NACDS congratulates Dr. Sorum on her appointment and wishes PSW the best in its next chapter.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-07T09:35:15-04:00May 7, 2020|Wisconsin|

Wyoming

The Wyoming Board of Pharmacy has approved the elimination of the technician ratio which was previously 3:1.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-07T09:28:41-04:00May 7, 2020|Wyoming|

About Michael Angeloni