The Department of Health has posted guidance on Act 96 of 2018, which will require all controlled substance prescriptions (with some exceptions) to be electronically prescribed effective Thursday, October 24.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Washington State Health Officer Dr. Kathryn Lofy signed a statewide standing order allowing naloxone to be purchased at pharmacies in the state without a prescription.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The coalition formed by the California Pharmacists Association (CPhA), the Community Pharmacy Advocacy Group was notified on August 27 that the Californians for Access to Life-Saving Medicine’s Medi-Cal NADAC court hearing scheduled at the U.S Courthouse in Oakland on Friday, August 30 was cancelled. More than 92 pharmacies had submitted declarations stating how the clawbacks and continued flawed NADAC methodology will affect their pharmacy operations and patient access. Next step is that the court is expected to issue a written decision.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) will hold its Pharmacy Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, September 17. Registration is available online through Tuesday, September 10. In addition to the Pharmacy Day at the Capitol, there will also be a Medication Disposal Event @ the Capitol. For more information, contact Brian Sapita, MPA Government Affairs Manager.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
The Mississippi Division of Medicaid is researching payment mechanisms pharmacists currently use to bill payers for vaccine administration. Pharmacy providers are being asked to complete this brief survey as it will be a valuable tool in future decision-making processes.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
A provision in SB 848 that was enacted earlier this year requires pharmacies to report any opioid as being used for the treatment of acute or chronic pain, and also to report any non-opioid controlled substance prescription. Since the bill included an emergency clause, it took effect immediately in May. The Office of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control (OBNDDC) notified NACDS last week that that they will give all pharmacies enough time to make the necessary programming changes to the Prescription Monitoring Program, but warnings will be sent starting on Sunday, September 1, if the data is not reported. OBNDDC did confirm that they will not begin taking enforcement actions on errors until Wednesday, January 1, 2020.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
If you are a pharmacist providing immunizations or CLIA-waived testing services, or a pharmacy technician or other health care professional assisting with these services, you must have live OSHA training on bloodborne pathogens every year or face fines of up to $90,000. The Tennessee Pharmacists Research and Education Foundation in partnership with other state associations are offering a webinar that meets all of OSHA’s training requirements, including the live component. This webinar will provide attendees with one (1.0) contact hour of live ACPE Continuing Pharmacy Education. Contact your state pharmacy association for information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Utah Pharmacy Association will host its 2019 Mid-Year Meeting on Saturday, September 14 at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy, UT. Details are available on the association’s website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
On August 12, the State Board of Pharmacy adopted a new email listserv called News and Information that will send subscribers notifications about board and committee meetings, board activities, rulemakings, new laws and regulations, press releases, consumer tips and other general news and information. To sign up, visit the Board of Pharmacy Email Registration page on the Board’s website.
Also in California… The State Board of Pharmacy has created a new guide called Pharmacy Inspections by the California State Board of Pharmacy” to help licensees understand and prepare for Board inspections. The brochure lists all documents that pharmacies are required to have readily available for inspectors to review.
Also in California… The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is hosting a second Medi-Cal Rx Pharmacy Carve Out Advisory Group meeting on Thursday, September 26 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific in the DHCS Auditorium at 1500 Capitol Avenue in Sacramento. The purpose of this second meeting is to facilitate further discussion, increase community awareness, share additional details around various topics necessary for the effective implementation of Medi-Cal Rx and provide an ongoing forum for stakeholder feedback to help further inform implementation efforts. Those unable to join in person can listen in by pre-registering for the webinar. For questions or comments, please email DHCS.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.