Ohio
The Dept. of Health has issued a COVID-19 Checklist for Pharmacies with recommendations from Director Amy Acton, MD, MPH. For more information, visit the website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Texas
Citing coronavirus concerns, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick instructed Senate Chairs of Interim Study Committees on prescription drug costs to postpone hearings for a few weeks as Texas continues on-going efforts to contain and mitigate the impact of COVID-19.
Also in Texas… NACDS and our in-state partner, the Texas Federation of Drug Stores, accompanied chain pharmacists Ken Breda with Brookshire Brothers and Michelle Beall with Brookshire Grocery in district meetings with East Texas legislators to discuss our priority regulatory and legislative issues. Connecting pharmacists with their hometown legislator is essential to advancing our pharmacy healthcare agenda.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Virginia
NACDS was on the ground in Richmond again this past weekend to help shepherd the final passage of the conference committee substitute report on HB 1506, just short of the Legislature’s adjournment. HB 1506 was sponsored by Del. Mark Sickles (D) at the request of the Virginia Pharmacists Association (VPhA). The bill would allow pharmacists to provide a wide range of services under statewide protocol including: contraceptives, epinephrine, prenatal vitamins, dietary fluoride supplements and prescription medications when the copay is less than the over the counter version of the same drug. The protocols must be developed by the Board of Pharmacy (BOP) in collaboration with the Board of Medicine (BOM) and Department of Health (VDH) by Nov. 1, 2020. Additionally, the bill requires the Boards and VDH to convene a workgroup to make recommendations on further statewide protocols allowing pharmacists to perform CLIA-waived tests; administer vaccines; and provide tobacco cessation, tuberculosis and HIV therapy; as well as over the counter drugs in certain cases. The workgroup recommendations are also due Nov. 1, 2020. The bill now goes to Gov. Ralph Northam (D) for consideration. NACDS will continue to work with VPhA and the administration to advocate for Gov. Northam’s signature into law.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
West Virginia
With NACDS support, legislation that will require health plans to provide payment for pharmacists’ services has passed both chambers in West Virginia and is on its way to Gov. Jim Justice (R) for signature. SB 787, sponsored by Sen. Erik Tarr (R), requires that any health plan issued, amended, or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2021 cover any service provided by pharmacists’ within their scope of practice and requires health plans to have an adequate number of pharmacists in network for services beyond the plans’ drug benefit.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Alabama
Effective April 1, 2020, the Alabama Medicaid Agency will implement hard edits on cumulative daily MME claims exceeding 150 MME/day. A phase-in period for claims exceeding 120 MME/day, but less than 150 MME/day, will also be implemented. To view the full ALERT, click here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
California
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed two new members to the Board of Pharmacy: Vons pharmacist Seung Oh and Safeway pharmacist Jignesh “Jig” Patel. Rotating off the Board were Allen Schaad and public member Valerie Muñoz.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Colorado
Colorado’s bill, HB20-1061, legislation that would allow pharmacists to prescribe and dispense PEP and PrEP medications, was amended again. The bill is expected to pass the House this week and to be referred to the Senate for further consideration.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Louisiana
NACDS and the Louisiana Retailers Association succeeded in finding legislators to pre-file legislation advancing the practice of pharmacy. Rep. Regina Ashford Barrow (D) introduced a broad immunization expansion bill, SB 296. and Rep. Joseph Stagni (R), Chiropractic Physician, filed HB 459, legislation that mandates payment for healthcare services performed by pharmacists was modeled after the 2019 Texas law. The Legislature convenes at Noon on Monday, March 9.
Also in Louisiana… The Department of Health recently posted these provider notices:
https://www.lamedicaid.com/provweb1/Pharmacy/March_Implementations_2-28-20.pdf
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Michigan
The House Health Policy Committee will hear SB 248 and SB 254, legislation to require electronic prescribing, on Thursday, March 5, 2020 at 10:30 am.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.