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So far Michael Angeloni has created 903 blog entries.

Wisconsin

The Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin reminds pharmacies participating in a Pharmacy Examining Board-approved pilot program (i.e. tech-check-tech, technician ratio, or automated technology final check), the one-page reporting form is due to the Pharmacy Examining Board by Wednesday, July 31, summarizing the pharmacy’s pilot participation from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. The reporting form for each pilot can be found here. Once completed, the form should be emailed to DSPSCredPharmacy@dsps.wi.gov with cc to Sharon.Henes@wisconsin.gov.

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

2019-07-25T16:35:58-04:00July 25, 2019|Wisconsin|

California

NACDS and the California Retailers Association (CRA) submitted a letter urging Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to sign AB 1803, clean-up legislation delaying the implementation of AB 315 (Chapter #905, 2018) and AB 2863 (Chapter #770, 2018) until Wednesday, January 1, 2020. Subsequently, the Gov. Newsom signed the bill into law on July 12, effective immediately. This law will provide pharmacies and health plans the time they need to set up their contracts and computer systems to allow for the cash price information to be shared effectively and efficiently when a patient chooses to pay retail price for the drug because it is cheaper. The patient can then have that amount deducted from their health plan’s required deductible.

Also in California… In response to CalRecycle’s draft regulatory text implementing SB 212 (Chapter #1004, 2018), the drug take-back and sharps law, NACDS and CRA submitted a letter detailing our concerns with the draft language. We will continue to monitor and participate in the rulemaking process.

Also in California… In response to the lawsuit filed last month by the California Pharmacists Association (CPhA) through the Californians for Access to Life-Saving Medicine, the Department of Health Care Services agreed to temporarily stop the Medi-Cal retroactive recoupments on June 14. The agreement came as the attorneys for CPhA and Deputy Attorney General (who represents the State) negotiated over the court hearing date for the judge to consider the motion for a preliminary injunction. With this agreement, CPhA has withdrawn its request for the court to consider the preliminary injunction on the shortened timeframe of July 12. Therefore, the hearing will now occur on Friday, August 30.

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

2019-07-18T10:36:55-04:00July 18, 2019|California|

Kansas

The City of Lawrence Sustainability Advisory Board has voted in support of a 16-cents charge for plastic and paper bags used to carry items purchased at grocery stores and retailers. According to Board’s recommendations, revenue from the bag fee would be allocated to address the business costs associated with the policy, to support local environmental education and initiatives and to support programming for low-income Lawrence residents. The measure will advance to the Lawrence City Commission for possible action. NACDS is providing support to the Kansas Pharmacists Association to exempt out prescription bags.

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

2019-07-18T10:35:43-04:00July 18, 2019|Kansas|

Missouri

Gov. Michael Parson (R) signed SB 514 into law on July 11. Among its provisions, the law requires e-prescribing of Schedule II-IV controlled substances with exceptions effective Friday, January 1, 2021. The law also updates the pharmacy practice act to include the prescribing and dispensing of any nicotine replacement therapy product. In addition, the law authorizes the Board of Pharmacy to approve, modify and establish requirements for pharmacy pilot or demonstration research projects related to technology assisted verification or remote medication dispensing that are designed to enhance patient care or safety, improve patient outcomes or expand access to pharmacy services. Finally, the law establishes the Ensuring Access to High Quality Care for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders Act. These provisions specify that medication-assisted treatment (MAT) services will include, but not be limited to, pharmacologic and behavioral therapies. Formularies used by a health insurer or managed by a pharmacy benefits manager and medical benefit coverage in the case of medications dispensed through an opioid treatment program are to include all certain specified medications. All MAT medications required for compliance with these provisions will be placed on the lowest cost-sharing tier of the formulary.

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

2019-07-18T10:34:29-04:00July 18, 2019|Missouri|

Kentucky

A new law (KY Acts ch. 185) allowing pharmacists to dispense emergency supplies of insulin was effective June 27. The law closes a loophole in the state’s current emergency refill statute that excluded insulin because it does not fall into a 72-hour dose category. It also contains language to allow emergency dispensing of inhalers for treatment of chronic respiratory illnesses.

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

2019-07-11T10:31:36-04:00July 11, 2019|Kentucky|

Oregon

HB 3273 awaits signature by Gov. Kate Brown (D), establishing a state-wide drug take-back program funded and designed by drug manufacturers. The bill contains local pre-emption, places enforcement and rulemaking in the hands of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and allows for both stationary receptacles and mail back programs. The program is scheduled to be operational by Thursday, July 1, 2021.

Also in Oregon… HB 2935 (Chapter 438) was signed into law by Gov. Kate Brown (D) requiring retail pharmacies to provide prescription readers, upon request, to their patients who are visually impaired. The prescription labels will have to be compatible with the prescription readers and be available to the patient for the duration of the prescription. The Board of Pharmacy has rulemaking authority on this law which took effect upon its passage.

Also in Oregon… Gov. Brown has signed into law SB 698 (Chapter 465), requiring all retail pharmacies to provide to patients with limited English proficiency their prescription labels in both English and the language requested. If authorized by the Board of Pharmacy by rule, the informational insert may also be included in the requested language. The state has identified at least 14 languages other than English in which prescription labels will be required to be translated. This law takes effect 91 days after the end of session that occurred on June 30. The Board will meet Wednesday-Friday, August 7-9 in Portland.

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

2019-07-11T10:29:29-04:00July 11, 2019|Oregon|

Pennsylvania

Last week, Gov. Tom Wolf (D) signed legislation requiring commercial insurers to cover medication synchronization programs for patients on maintenance medications. HB 195 (Act No. 46), sponsored by Rep. Eric Nelson (R), passed both chambers unanimously prior to approval by the Governor. Specifically, the law requires insurers to allow coverage for partial fills, prorate patient copays and pay a full dispensing fee. It will be effective Thursday, July 2, 2020.

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

2019-07-11T10:30:11-04:00July 11, 2019|Pennsylvania|

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