Hawaii
HB 2553, legislation expanding pharmacists immunization authority for minors, passed its first two committees.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Idaho
HB 596, related to PBM reform, was introduced and referred to the House Health and Welfare Committee. This legislation would add new definitions; outline requirements that make contracts with pharmacies transparent and fair; require PBMs to provide transparent pricing on drugs and require PBMs to report to the Department of Insurance in a transparent way.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Indiana
As the session nears the end, there are several key dates to keep in mind. All Senate bills must pass the House committees by February 27, and all House bills must pass the Senate committees by February 29.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Iowa
The Board of Pharmacy published ARC 7632C as a Notice of Intended Action to amend Chapter 10, “Controlled Substances”. The proposed amendments would temporarily add nine substances to Schedule I and one substance to Schedule IV of the Iowa Controlled Substances Act in response to similar scheduling action taken by the DEA. Comments may be submitted until 4:30 pm on March 12.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Maine
On February 22, MaineCare announced it is experiencing intermittent network issues processing claims due to Change Healthcare network interruption. As a result, if a pharmacy experiences issues with claims, MaineCare advises to follow routine offline claims processing procedures.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Massachusetts
The Board of Pharmacy updated its standing order regarding Naloxone. Pharmacists and other pharmacy licensees may administer naloxone to someone appearing to be experiencing an opioid-related overdose and will not be subject to criminal or civil liability or any professional disciplinary action in accordance with state law.
Also in Massachusetts, the Department of Public Health (DPH) proposed changes to 105 CMR 222 which regulates the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS). The changes will:
- Expand the application of the MIIS regulations to also cover authorized recipients of the information transmitted through the system in addition to health care providers. DPH is authorized to designate other appropriate users of the MIIS.
- Shorten the time timeframe for healthcare providers to report all new immunizations through the system from 7 days to within 72 hours (3 days) of immunization administration.
- Add the following new information about the recipient that must be transmitted: the recipient's sex, gender, race, ethnicity and preferred language.
- Authorize an immunization recipient's legally authorized representative to object to the sharing of a patient's immunization information.
- Add a definition of "Authorized Recipient" to include an individual or agency that the DPH may release immunization information to for specified purposes without further consent from immunization recipients or their legal authorized representatives. An authorized recipient may not access the MIIS until they register as an authorized user.
- Authorize the Department to enter into collaborative agreements with other states for the purposes of exchanging immunization information.
Comment deadline is March 15.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Michigan
Legislation introduced last week as HB 5435 and HB 5436 would allow pharmacists to prescribe and dispense self-administered hormonal birth control to patients. The companion bill would require insurers to reimburse pharmacies for the prescription and consultation or other ancillary services including testing. It also requires that the insurer allow the pharmacy to bill the items and services under a service code at adjudication of the prescription claim.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Minnesota
The Senate Health Committee held a hearing on SF 1176 this week. The bill would update the state’s Pharmacy Practice Act to match the PREP Act’s immunization authority for pharmacists and technicians and clarify pharmacists’ ability to order CLIA-waived tests. Although the medical community testified in opposition, the committee appeared supportive of the bill and held it over for potential inclusion in the health omnibus bill package. A recording of the hearing is available online.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Nebraska
The following bills are scheduled for hearing in the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee on February 27:
- LB 990: legislation banning PBMs from restricting an enrollee's ability to choose how a retail community pharmacy may dispense or deliver prescription drugs and clarifies that "reasonable terms" between PBMs and specialty pharmacies cannot exceed reporting requirements and performance requirements that are required for a nationally recognized independent accrediting organization among its various provisions.
- LB 1232: legislation banning PBMs from reimbursing pharmacists or pharmacies for a drug at a lower rate than the cost required to dispense the drug.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.