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So far Michael Silber has created 1944 blog entries.

Texas

Acting on behalf of Gov. Greg Abbott (R) while he is out of the country on a trade mission, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) declared a Disaster Declaration for 121 counties impacted by Hurricane Beryl. The Board of Pharmacy’s Executive Director/Secretary Daniel R. Carroll, PharmD, RPh, has again authorized pharmacists in Texas to dispense up to a 30-day supply of medication (other than a Schedule II controlled substance) for patients affected in the counties of the disaster area. Board rule 291.34(b)(8)(E) outlines the procedures for dispensing medication in emergency situations.

Also in Texas, the next hybrid meeting of the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative Board will be at 1:00 pm on July 16.

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) will perform the semi-annual update of the Medicaid preferred drug list on July 25, based on the recommendations made at two meetings of the Texas Drug Utilization Review early this year.

Finally in Texas, The Texas Drug Utilization Review Board agenda for July 26 is now available. Refer to the Texas Drug Utilization Review Board Handbook for instructions on submitting written materials to the board before the meeting and public testimony on the day of the meeting. People providing written or public testimony must complete the appropriate testimony form and the Public Comment Registration form linked on the agenda.

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

2024-07-11T11:10:49-04:00July 11, 2024|Texas|

Washington

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (commission) is soliciting public comments on its draft rule language for Mobile Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) Units. The rules workshop will be held at the August 22 Business Meeting. The draft rule language proposes to amend WAC 246-945-060 and WAC 246-945-250 to modify registration and facility requirements pertaining to mobile OTP units and the other controlled substance registration. The Proposed Mobile Opioid Treatment Program Unit Rule Language may change in response to future feedback from the commission and the public. Written comments may be submitted to Haleigh Mauldin, Program Consultant, at PharmacyRules@doh.wa.gov until midnight on August 8. Oral comments may be provided at the August rules workshop.

Also in Washington, Apple Health’s new pharmacy point-of-sale system is a few weeks post go-live and the Health Care Authority’s pharmacy team has scheduled several listening sessions to meet with pharmacy billers to gather feedback regarding experiences with claims and prior authorizations

Finally in Washington, the third quarter Washington preferred drug list (PDL) has been posted to the website. The state’s PDL shows which drugs are preferred and which are non-preferred for Uniform Medical Plan and the Department of Labor and Industries.

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

2024-07-11T11:10:14-04:00July 11, 2024|Washington|

Alaska

The Board of Pharmacy reminded licensees that both pharmacy and facility licensing renewal applications are due by 11:59 pm on June 30 or the license will expire. There is no grace period. Here are the links to the Alaska Board of Pharmacy applications and forms:

If you have not registered your corporate entity in Alaska yet, you can find information on how to register your entity at Corporations, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (alaska.gov).

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

2024-06-27T11:05:22-04:00June 27, 2024|Alaska|

California

The Department of Health Care Servies posted the following weekly notice on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for June 14-20.

Also in California, as part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) Master Plan for Tracking the Fentanyl and Opioid Crises, California will make its own private label branded over the counter (OTC) naloxone hydrochloride (HCL) nasal spray (CalRx®). It will be available for free to eligible organizations through the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP) or for sale for $24 per twin-pack. The state is also working on an option for individuals to buy CalRx OTC naloxone nasal spray directly.

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

2024-06-27T11:04:53-04:00June 27, 2024|California|

Florida

The Administrative Register has published the following information as the Board of Pharmacy proposes the promulgation of the rules to implement new legislation. These include the following:

  • Collaborative Practice Certification: HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis Certification (64B16-31.010)
  • Collaborative Practice Certification: HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis Certification Course (64B16-31.011)
  • Collaborative Practice Certification: HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis Certification Required Submissions (64B16-31.012).

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2024-06-27T11:04:14-04:00June 27, 2024|Florida|

Kentucky

MedImpact, the Commonwealth’s Single PBM, issued a Preferred Drug List update (PDL update) regarding coverage of Humulin N and Novolin N vials.

Also in Kentucky, Medicaid should now be reimbursing pharmacies both an ingredient cost and an administration fee for vaccines provided to children even if the pharmacy is not enrolled in the Vaccines for Children program. Also, due to the passage of  HB 274, effective July 15, 2024, pharmacies will be authorized to administer the full range of vaccines starting at age five years (currently age nine years) under a prescriber-approved protocol. If you are experiencing any issues with vaccine reimbursement from Medicaid Fee-for-Service (FFS) or Managed Care, please contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack.

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

2024-06-27T11:03:30-04:00June 27, 2024|Kentucky|

Louisiana

Gov. Jeff Landy (R) signed into law the PEP/PrEP bill, HB 579, sponsored by Rep. Wayne McMahen (R), that will improve critical community access to HIV prevention services. With one of the highest rates of HIV in the country, the Department of Health (LDH) recognized the need for better access. LDH worked with the Louisiana Alliance for Retail Pharmacies (LARP) and other groups advocating for expanding options for at-risk patients to receive timely, convenient and lifesaving care at their local neighborhood pharmacies.

Also in Louisiana, Gov. Landry (R) announced key leadership changes. The Department of Health Secretary (LDH) Dr. Ralph Abraham transitions to the newly created Surgeon General role, Undersecretary Michael Harrington was named as the new LDH Secretary and Chief of Staff Drew Maranto was promoted to Undersecretary of LDH. The Secretary of LDH is responsible for implementing the Surgeon General’s recommendations, overseeing fiscal matters and ensuring the operations of the Department are carried out efficiently and effectively. Both the Secretary and the Surgeon General report directly to the Governor.

Also in Louisiana, LDH announced that Myers and Stauffer will be conducting a pharmacy cost of dispensing survey in August 2024 to evaluate the Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement methodology. A Zoom stakeholder meeting will be held at 9:00 am on July 15. LDH and Myers and Stauffer representatives will discuss the scope of the survey, timeline for completion and address stakeholder questions about the process.

Finally in Louisiana, Medicaid is implementing changes to the Single Preferred Drug List (PDL) on July 1, 2024. The current PDL indicated a preference of some brand name drugs over generic drugs. The revised PDL will shift both brand and generic versions of these drugs to preferred status. The new PDL will be posted online.

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

2024-06-27T11:02:43-04:00June 27, 2024|Louisiana|

Maryland

The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) has selected 6 drugs they propose to subject to a cost review process. If members wish to submit comments on any or all the choices, please send them to comments.pdab@maryland.gov with the subject line: Board Selected Drugs (Drug Name) by July 22. For more information on the PDAB or on the comment process, see the PDAB’s Board Selected Drugs Page.

Also in Maryland, Medicaid Fee-For-Service released Advisory #263 in reference to the Generic vs. Brand Status on Medicaid’s Preferred Drug List (PDL) effective July 1, 2024.

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

2024-06-27T11:02:03-04:00June 27, 2024|Maryland|

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