Washington
The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) held a workshop on June 15 to review stakeholder comments on PQAC prepared draft rules on the accessible labeling issue.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Arizona
The Board of Pharmacy’s emergency rule permitting a pharmacist to delegate the administration of a vaccine to a trained pharmacy technician while under the supervision of the pharmacist was published with an effective date of May 4, 2023, in the “Arizona Administrative Register”; see pages 1196 through 1201. Also, note the inclusion of special continuing education requirements for technicians administering vaccines.
Also in Arizona, NACDS submitted comment letters to the Board of Pharmacy in support of the following proposed rules:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
California
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) posted the following alerts and weekly wrap-ups on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
- Updates to the List of Contracted Personal Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices and Blood Pressure Cuffs, Effective July 1, 2023 and October 1, 2023 (June 1)
- Updates to the List of Contracted Enteral Nutrition Products, Effective July 1, 2023 and October 1, 2023 (June 1)
- Medical Supplies Update: Updates to Diabetic Blood Glucose Test Strips and Lancets Quantity Limits, Effective July 1, 2023 (June 1)
- Updates to Diabetic Testing Supplies, Effective July 1, 2023 (June 1)
- Updates to Medical Supplies: Basal Thermometers, Effective July 1, 2023 (June 1)
- Maximum Allowable Ingredient Cost 30-day Pharmacy Provider Notice (June 1)
- Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for June (June 1)
- Changes to the Contract Drugs List (June 1)
- Changes to Contract Drugs List – Over-the-Counter Drugs (June 1)
- Changes to Family PACT Pharmacy Formulary (June 1)
- Updates to the Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual (June 1)
- Pharmacy Locator Tool – Enhanced Functionality (May 26)
- Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for May 19-25 (May 26)
- Reinstatement Spotlight (May 26)
- Emergency Fill for Unbreakable Packages (May 24)
- 30-day Countdown – Phase III, Lift 4: Retirement of the Transition Policy for Beneficiaries 22 Years of Age and Older (May 23)
Also in California, Medi-Cal published this PHE Update for Who May Prescribe Home Health Services, DME and Medical Supplies (May 19).
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services announced this Medi-Cal Rx Update.
On May 19, Medi-Cal Rx Reinstatement Phase III, Lift 3 was successfully launched. On May 23, a 30-day notification for Phase III, Lift 4: Retirement of the Transition Policy for Beneficiaries 22 Years of Age and Older was released, notifying stakeholders that on June 23, 2023, Phase III, Lift 4 (P3/L4) will be implemented, lifting the Transition Policy for 46 Standard Therapeutic Classes. This is the fourth in a series of lifts to retire the Transition Policy by reinstating NCPDP Reject Code 75 – Prior Authorization Required.
Also in California, as part of the Board of Pharmacy’s April 2023 Board Meeting, the Board approved a policy statement related to digital signatures.
Finally, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for the Medication Error Reduction and Workforce Ad Hoc Committee Meeting scheduled for June 7.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Colorado
The Board of Pharmacy is soliciting written comments to implement Colorado House Bill 23-1195, a bill regarding automated pharmacy dispensing systems, which was signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis (D). The Board will hold a Permanent and Emergency Rulemaking Hearing July 20 to determine whether to adopt the proposed revisions to Rule 5.00.00 on a permanent and emergency basis. Email comments by June 9 to dora_dpo_rulemaking@state.co.us.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Illinois
After the release of the Illinois State Auditor’s report on PBMs, language from Senate Bill 757, PBM Audit Reform, which was stalled in the House, was included in Senate Bill 1298, the Medicaid Omnibus bill which has now passed both Chambers and is on the way to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s (D) desk for signature.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Iowa
The Board of Pharmacy adopted and amended the following rules effective July 5, 2023:
- ARC 7025C – Chapter 10, “Controlled Substances”: authorizing the board, on a case-by-case basis, to issue a CSA registration to a business location when it would be impractical to require each individual practitioner who administers or dispenses controlled substances to separately register at the location (e.g., ambulatory surgical centers, standalone clinics associated with a hospital system)
- ARC 7026C – Chapter 10, “Controlled Substances,” and Chapter 12, “Precursor Substances”: temporarily adding four substances to Schedule I, excluding one substance from Schedule II and adding one precursor substance to the Iowa CSA in response to similar action taken by the federal DEA
- ARC 7027C – Chapter 33, “Military Service and Veteran Reciprocity”: implementing the licensure-related provisions of 2022 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2383, revising the requirements and parameters of licensure for veterans and active-duty military spouses
Also in Iowa, the Department of Health and Human Services published the following:
- INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO 2466-MC-FFS – Specialty Drug Administration – Alternative Site of Care (SOC)
- INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO 2464-MC-FFS – Resuming the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan (IHAWP) Healthy Behaviors Program Following the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE)
- INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO 2462-MD-FFS – COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE Unwind – Provider Enrollment Renewal Flexibilities
- INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO 2450-MC-FFS – Public Health Emergency (PHE) Unwind Training for Providers
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Kentucky
The Kentucky Pharmacists Association (KPhA) is seeking Kentucky-licensed pharmacists to serve on the newly formed Board of Pharmacy Advisory Council. KPhA is responsible for appointing five of the nine pharmacist members on the council as outlined below:
- Two pharmacists appointed by the Kentucky Pharmacists Association;
- One pharmacist who practices or specializes primarily in a mail-order pharmacy appointed by the Kentucky Pharmacists Association;
- One pharmacist who practices or specializes primarily in a veterinary pharmacist appointed by the Kentucky Pharmacists Association
- One pharmacist who practices in a specialized pharmacy that solely or mostly provides medication to persons living with serious health conditions requiring complex therapies, appointed by the Kentucky Pharmacists Association.
Click here for further information or to apply.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Louisiana
HB 471, by Rep. Barbara Freiberg (R) allowing pharmacists, pharmacy interns supervised by a pharmacist, and licensed technicians supervised by a pharmacist to administer immunizations to individuals seven years old or older, passed the Senate Health and Welfare Committee on May 31 without amendments by a 5-2 favorable vote, and is now pending Senate floor action for a final vote. Pharmacies need to contact state senators in their community and urge a YES vote on the Senate floor. The legislature is scheduled to adjourn on June 8.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Massachusetts
The Board of Pharmacy issued two notices after its May 31 board meeting. In regard to scope of practice, the first order pertains to immunizations and injections as well as from new policy 2023-08. The second order issues a new policy that consolidates previous stocking allowance orders.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.