Oregon
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board posted a draft agenda for the January 17 meeting. Board calendar and materials from past meetings are also available online.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Rhode Island
Please see the most recent Medicaid Provider Update (January 2024). All provider updates dated back to 2019 are available online.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
South Carolina
The Legislature convened on January 9. Legislation regarding reimbursement and scope issues that carried over from the 2023 session are expected to be heard during the 2024 session.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Tennessee
The Tennessee Nonresidential Buprenorphine Treatment Guidelines, providing details about medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in Tennessee, were recently updated following review by the Commissioners of TDMHSAS (Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services) and TDH (Department of Health).
Also in Tennessee, the Department of Health released an article, "Racial Disparities in Adolescent Flu Immunization Rates," highlighting public health concerns as factors such as socioeconomic status, limited access to health care, mistrust of medical systems and systemic barriers disproportionately affect minority communities and their immunization coverage rates.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott (R) appointed Mike McKinney, M.D., Golinda Erowele, PharmD, and Tony Schell to the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative Governing Board. McKinney will serve as the Chair of the Board tasked with developing a business plan to provide cost effective drugs and other medical supplies for the public employee sector.
Also in Texas, the Governor reappointed two chain pharmacists, Rick Fernandez with Walgreens, and Julie Spier with Albertsons Companies to additional 6-year terms to the State Board of Pharmacy. Gov. Abbott also appointed two new members to the Board, Randy Martin, a pharmacist and clinical services manager at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, and public member Garrett Marquis, chief communications officer for the Bank of New York Mellon.
Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) alerted providers that beginning January 1, 2024, the managed care organization Amerigroup, began operating under a new name Wellpoint.
Finally in Texas, the State Board of Pharmacy updated licensing and renewal fees effective January 1, 2024. Fees for pharmacists and pharmacies have increased, but there was no change to pharmacy technician fees. The Board of Pharmacy also established new fees for remote pharmacies.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Vermont
On January 11, the Department of Health released the following notice regarding increased RSV cases and its strain on the health system. Reports have been sent to the Department that pregnant patients have been turned away from pharmacies. The Department asked that pharmacies are aware that:
- Pregnant individuals are eligible for Abrysvo.
- If a particular pharmacy does not have Abrysvo, please refer the pregnant individual to a location that does have it.
- We have Immunization Registry (IMR) data showing that pharmacies are administering Abrysvo to women of childbearing age. The IMR does not collect pregnancy status.
- Adults 60 years of age and older are eligible and encouraged to receive either Arexvy or Abrysvo vaccine.
- IMR data shows that pharmacies are giving doses to older adults.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Washington
The legislature convened on January 8. Lawmakers will need to agree to a supplemental budget.
Also in Washington, legislation to expand pharmacists' prescriptive authority was filed in both chambers. HB 2116 by Reps. My-LinhThai (D) and Vandana Slatter (D) was referred to the Health and Wellness Committee, and SB 6019 by Sen. Ron Muzzall (R) was referred to the Senate Health Long-Term Care Committee.
Also in Washington, SB 5213 by Sen. Patty Kurderer (D), pharmacy's PBM reform bill, was carried over from the 2023 session.
Also in Washington, in compliance with the Settlement Agreement in the case of National Association of Chain Drug Stores, et al., v. Health Care Authority (Washington State Court of Appeals No. 51489-3-II), the Health Care Authority (HCA) updated the professional dispensing fees for pharmacies and began issuing adjusted dispensing fee payments December 29, 2023. For more information regarding the updated professional dispensing fees for pharmacies and adjusted dispensing fee payments, the HCA provided a FAQ. Questions can be emailed to applehealthpharmacypolicy@hca.wa.gov.
Also in Washington, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) filed for Emergency Rulemaking to codify in rule the FDA's approval of certain naloxone hydrochloride nasal sprays as over the counter. The rule was effective immediately and will remain in effect for 120 days but will be refiled as needed while permanent rulemaking is in progress.
Also in Washington, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) adopted rules on Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Remote Dispensing Sites implementing SSB 6086 (Chapter 244, Laws of 2020) allowing a pharmacy to extend its pharmacy license to a remote dispensing site where technology is used to dispense medications used for the treatment of OUD or its symptoms, effective January 18.
Also in Washington, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) issued an FAQ in response to questions regarding health care entities (HCEs) and the 72-hour dispensing limitation.
Finally in Washington, the five-member Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) that was enacted to reduce Rx costs to consumers issued its 2023 Annual Report.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Alaska
The Board of Pharmacy approved a training resource from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America – Alaska Chapter for the prescribing and dispensing of epinephrine.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Arizona
The Board of Pharmacy issued a notice and agenda for a virtual task force/stakeholder meeting on December 20 at 10:00 am.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.