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So far Michael Silber has created 2722 blog entries.

Massachusetts

The Board of Pharmacy issued the following updates on January 11.  

  • Emergency Contraceptive (EC) Dispensing Report: Any EC dispensed pursuant to the standing order within a calendar year (January 1 – December 31) must be reported using the Annual Emergency Contraception Standing Order Report.  
  • Policy 2024-01 Naloxone Dispensing: Reviews the dispensing of over-the-counter (OTC) naloxone. 
  • Policy 2019-02 Automated Dispensing Device Use: Information for Hospice Inpatient Facility acute use was added.  
  • Policy 2018-01 Permitted Prescription Changes and Additions: Flavoring agent information was added. 
  • 247 CMR 22.00: Monetary Penalties: Draft Regulation.  

The Board also sent a reminder to community pharmacies that the Board regulations require all community pharmacies to provide non-sterile compounding services to their customers. It has come to the Board’s attention that some pharmacies have discontinued their non-sterile compounding services. The Board cited the two regulations below that require this practice to be available; see below. The Board urged any pharmacy that has any questions about these regulations to contact them. The Board is discussing the need for further Board guidance on this issue, which they expect to discuss at a future meeting. 

  • 247 CMR 6.02: Conditions for Continuing Registration and Operation of a Pharmacy or Pharmacy Department 
    • (4) The pharmacy or pharmacy department shall maintain on the premises at all times a sufficient variety and supply of medicinal chemicals and preparations which are necessary to compound and dispense commonly prescribed medications in accordance with the usual needs of the community. 
  • 247 CMR 9.01: Code of Professional Conduct for Registered Pharmacists, Pharmacies and Pharmacy Departments 
    • (16) A pharmacist shall not refuse to compound customary pharmaceutical preparations except upon extenuating circumstances.

Also in Massachusetts, on January 10, the Public Health Council voted to make permanent the current emergency regulations at 105 CMR 700.004 (15) that authorize pharmacists to prescribe and dispense certain hormonal contraceptives. The Department of Public Health and the Council did not make any changes to the original emergency regulations. As a result, there will be no change to the current practice in this area.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

2024-01-12T11:53:48-05:00January 12, 2024|Massachusetts|

Michigan

The Department of Health and Human Services announced that due to scheduled maintenance, the File Transfer Service (FTS) portal will be unavailable on January 14 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm EST. They asked providers to refrain from submitting electronic files during this outage period. Billing agents or providers with additional questions can email AutomatedBilling@Michigan.gov for further assistance.

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

2024-01-12T11:52:43-05:00January 12, 2024|Michigan|

Missouri

Missouri became the final state in the country to implement a statewide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP). Its new online system allows healthcare professionals to track patients' drug histories in an electronic database. As per the new law passed two years ago, dentists, doctors, pharmacists, and other professionals who dispense controlled substances will now be required to enter patient and prescription information into the database. 

Also in Missouri, the Department of Social Services (DSS) MO HealthNet Provider Bulletin Volume 46 Number 34 confirmed that starting November 29, 2023, authorized pharmacy providers can bill for COVID-19 vaccines regardless of Vaccines for Children (VFC) enrollment or participant age. Retail pharmacies can only bill if the prescribing provider is an enrolled MO HealthNet pharmacist. Other VFC vaccines must still be administered by a VFC provider. 

Finally in Missouri, MO HealthNet made changes to the Preferred Drug Listing for Insulin Agents effective January 9. 

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

2024-01-12T11:52:09-05:00January 12, 2024|Missouri|

Montana

On December 22, 2023, the Board of Pharmacy published a final rule (MAR 24-124-80) and adopted New Rule I (ARM 24.174.505, Pharmacist Prescribing: General Requirements) implementing SB (Senate Bill) 112 (Statute: 37-7-106, MCA, Pharmacist Prescribing Authority – exceptions), that allows for independent prescribing authority for pharmacists in limited situations. The new rule was adopted as proposed and became effective December 23, 2023. Additional information will be available soon on the Board’s webpage. 

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

2024-01-12T11:51:39-05:00January 12, 2024|Montana|

Nebraska

Effective January 1, 2024, Nebraska Total Care transitioned to Express Scripts as its PBM (Pharmacy Benefit Manager). Members have been provided with new member ID cards. If a pharmacist needs a member’s specific prescription processing information or other help with a claim, visit the Express Scripts Pharmacist Resource Center. If a pharmacist needs assistance processing a claim, call the Express Scripts Pharmacy Help Desk at 1-833-750-4471 

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services posted the Excel file of the fee schedule for Injectables January 1, 2024.  

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

2024-01-12T11:50:50-05:00January 12, 2024|Nebraska|

Nevada

The Board of Pharmacy is meeting on January 17-18 in Las Vegas and posted its agenda.  

Also in Nevada, more than 80 new laws went into effect on January 1. 

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

2024-01-12T11:50:09-05:00January 12, 2024|Nevada|

New York

NYRx, the New York Medicaid Pharmacy Benefit Program, issued this update regarding the NYRx BLTG (Brand Less Than Generic) Program for Flovent® and Advair®.  

Also in New York, the Board of Pharmacy sent out two updates on January 2:  

  • The online Discontinuance Form discussed at the regular November meeting is now accessible to the public. Directions and further information regarding the online Discontinuance Form can be found online.  
  • The Board has finalized and posted the new Drug Retail Price list online.  

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

2024-01-12T11:48:41-05:00January 12, 2024|New York|

Oklahoma

The state filed a motion with the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in PCMA v. Mulready asking the appellate court to stay the lower court’s enforcement of its original decision striking down the state’s PBM law, considering the state’s planned Supreme Court review of the appellate court’s refusal to overturn that lower court decision. While such a request is not often granted, a stay is needed to ensure the state can enforce its PBM laws while it petitions the Supreme Court for further review.

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

2024-01-12T11:47:23-05:00January 12, 2024|Oklahoma|
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