Last week, Medicaid (ODM (Ohio Department of Medicaid)) held a pharmacy stakeholders’ online seminar where they announced pharmacy reimbursement rates under the Single PBM, “Next Generation of Managed Care Program.” The slides and a recording of the online seminar can be found on the SBPM website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Legislation that would allow pharmacists and pharmacy interns to administer COVID and flu vaccines to children down to the age of 5 advanced in both Chambers this week. HB (House Bill) 2679 was reported from the House Professional Licensure Committee and is poised for a vote by the full House next week. The Senate Professional Licensure Committee also amended SB (Senate Bill) 511 to match the language in HB 2679 and unanimously reported it to the full Senate for consideration. The intent is to deliver one of these bills to the Governor’s desk before adjournment for summer recess. However, if the General Assembly adjourns early, we are optimistic that the process can be completed in the fall, prior to sine die.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
In advance of the House and Senate health committee interim hearings this summer studying the pandemic response, NACDS and our in-state partner, the Texas Federation of Drug Stores (TFDS) provided joint letters to both the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and the House Select Committee on Health Care Reform highlighting how Texas pharmacies, empowered through federal authorizations to expand access to essential care services, were instrumental in providing millions of vaccinations, tests, and access points for antivirals. We urged lawmakers to take action to maintain critical access to care at pharmacies, allowing pharmacies/pharmacists to order and administer vaccinations approved by CDC/ACIP for ages 3 and older; initiate corresponding treatment pursuant to the result of a CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments)– waived test; and permit pharmacy technicians’ to also administer the tests and vaccines.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health (VDH) has posted an updated COVID-19 Vaccine Standing Order to include COVID vaccines for children aged 5 and younger. You can also view the Summary of Legal Authorities for Pharmacists to Administer COVID Vaccines on their COVID-19 vaccine webpage for health professionals.
Also in Virginia. The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) will hold the Pharmacy Liaison Committee Meeting on July 14 in Richmond. The agenda has been posted. If members have any questions or comments regarding the topics on the agenda, please send them to Jill McCormack by July 12.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
All previously published expiration dates related to the COVID-19 emergency are once again extended by the Alabama Medicaid Agency. The new expiration date is the earlier of July 31, 2022, the conclusion of the COVID-19 national emergency, or any expiration date noticed by the Alabama Medicaid Agency through a subsequent ALERT. A listing of previous Provider ALERTs and notices related to the health emergency is available by selecting the Agency’s COVID-19 page.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Rules allowing pharmacist therapeutic substitution went into effect as of May 10, 2022. Pharmacists whose practice is located within the State of Arkansas may substitute medications for therapeutically equivalent medications unless the prescriber indicates that no substitution is to be made or if the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy has determined that a therapeutically equivalent product should not be substituted and has notified all pharmacists of that determination.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.
Also in California, Medi-Cal posted the following updates.
Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy has posted the following agendas for next week’s June 22 ad hoc committee meetings.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Board of Pharmacy is hosting a virtual Stakeholder Meeting on June 27 at 10 AM MDT to solicit feedback on multiple proposed revisions to the Board’s rules on newly passed legislation. Topics include Third Party Logistics Providers, Reporting Violations, and Collaborative Pharmacy Agreements and Appendix C (Statewide Protocol for Pre-Exposure and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis of HIV). Potential considerations to revise the rules to implement new legislation concern Colorado Senate Bills 22-116, 22-173, 22-027, 22-098; and Colorado House Bills 22-1235, 22-1246, 22-1115, and 22-1122. To participate, you must register for the online seminar. If you cannot attend the meeting or want to submit comments, send your comments to: dora_dpo_rulemaking@state.co.us by June 24, 2022.
Also in Colorado, HB (House Bill) 22-1370 will pass along drug manufacturer rebates to employers and consumers – valued at more than 16% of overall drug costs for those not sharing in rebates now. This bill represented one of the policy recommendations in the Department’s 2021 Reducing Prescription Drug Costs in Colorado Report.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Governor JB Pritzker (D) signed HB4430, on June 10, 2022, effective January 1, 2023, this legislation expands the scope of practice for pharmacists to include the initiation, dispensing, or administration of drugs, laboratory tests, assessments, referrals, and consultations for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV post-exposure prophylaxis. The measure also establishes a Medicaid reimbursement rate for all pharmacist-provided services.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.