Michael Silber, Author at In The States

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So far Michael Silber has created 2722 blog entries.

Massachusetts

The Board of Pharmacy updated two policy positions. First regarding unfilled prescriptions, Policy 2023-10 responds to the DEA's new rules regarding the transfer of unfilled federally controlled substance prescriptions. Second regarding vaccine administration, Policy 2023-02 allows qualified pharmacy personnel to administer routine vaccines that are not yet on the Immunization Schedule (e.g., RSV vaccine), and Collaborative Drug Therapy Management (CDTM) pharmacists may now also administer travel vaccines and other non-routine vaccines in accordance with their CDTM agreement.

Also in Massachusetts, on September 12, the state legislature will be holding a hearing for the Joint Committee on Financial Services. This hearing will include HB 4066, an act relative to pharmacists as health care providers, making some of the test and treat language law.

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

Michael Silber2023-09-08T10:55:34-04:00September 8, 2023|Massachusetts|

Minnesota

The Department of Human Services released the 2023 Cost of Dispensing Survey Report that recommends a $0.78 increase in the Fee-for-Service professional dispensing fee for all retail pharmacies. I understand the General Assembly will have to pass legislation to implement it. NACDS intends to work with members and in-state partners on this in the next legislative session. 

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

Michael Silber2023-09-08T10:55:01-04:00September 8, 2023|Minnesota|

Missouri

The Board of Pharmacy released emergency rules regarding pharmacist vaccine administration, effective August 28, 2023. The rules establish guidelines for independent vaccination by pharmacists, for vaccines approved as of January 1, 2023, as well as provide guidance for vaccines administered under protocols. They also clarify that pharmacists may continue to administer vaccines that are periodically/annually reformulated or updated, such as seasonal influenza vaccines, if the FDA approved the original vaccine before January 1, 2023.  

The Board issued a Supplemental Pharmacy Practice Guide summarizing the 2023 legislative changes. 

Also in Missouri, the Department of Commerce and Insurance issued emergency rules on pharmacists' immunization procedures:

20 CSR 2150-5.025 Administration of Vaccines

20 CSR 2220-6.050 Administration of Vaccines

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

Michael Silber2023-09-08T10:54:22-04:00September 8, 2023|Missouri|

Nebraska

The Department of Health and Human Services announced new income guidelines have increased the number of families who could qualify for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition assistance program. Some families who were not eligible for the program in the past may now qualify. Current Medicaid, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or ADC (Aid to Dependent Children) recipients are income-eligible for the WIC program. All foster children under five years of age and pregnant teen moms in foster care are income-eligible for WIC. 

Also in Nebraska, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for the September 18 meeting and the draft minutes from the July 10 Board of Pharmacy meeting.

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

Michael Silber2023-09-08T10:53:19-04:00September 8, 2023|Nebraska|

Nevada

The Board of Pharmacy met in Las Vegas on September 6 and 7. Use this link to access the agenda, minutes, and meeting materials. 

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

Michael Silber2023-09-08T10:52:35-04:00September 8, 2023|Nevada|

New York

On August 29, the New York Department of Health issued an updated policy regarding the Medicaid coverage and reimbursement of RSV vaccines.

Also in New York, NACDS joined a coalition letter against the proposed central fill pharmacy regulations that included a broad coalition including the Business Council of New York, Food Industry Alliance of New York and two FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Centers). NACDS and members have been actively advocating for a change and delay in the proposed regulations, that amongst its provisions would:

Create a new central fill pharmacy registration class;
Prohibit central fill pharmacies from being open to the public;
Require that central fill pharmacies only prepare, and fill prescriptions sent from an originating pharmacy;
Prohibit direct-to-patient central fill models;
Require the originating pharmacy to obtain consent from the patient in writing before a prescription may be prepared by a central fill pharmacy;
Requires an originating pharmacy to be able to prepare and dispense a prescription to a patient should the prescription not be received from the central fill pharmacy, or the patient seeks to pick-up the prescription from the originating pharmacy before it has been prepared by a central fill pharmacy; and
Requires nonresident pharmacies engaged in central fill models to comply with select provisions of the rule.

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

Michael Silber2023-09-08T10:52:09-04:00September 8, 2023|New York|

North Carolina

Governor Roy Cooper (D) declared a State of Emergency ahead of the impact of Hurricane Idalia. Pharmacists are reminded that a state of emergency declaration triggers obligations for health benefit plans to cover emergency refills of prescriptions. More information from the NC Department of Insurance is here. Pharmacists and pharmacies are reminded that the Board of Pharmacy has exercised its authority under G.S. 90-85.25(a) to waive certain requirements of the North Carolina Pharmacy Practice Act to facilitate the provision of patient care during a declared emergency. With Hurricane Idalia’s approach, now is the time to review that policy and start implementing plans to ensure continuity of patient care. 

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

Michael Silber2023-09-08T10:49:59-04:00September 8, 2023|North Carolina|

Ohio

The Board of Pharmacy published a bulletin complying with the new regulations effective September 1 that authorize technicians to administer immunizations.  

Also in Ohio, Medicaid (ODM) announced new Professional Dispensing Fee Rates in both the SPBM (Single PBM) and Fee-for-Service programs. The increases in the SPBM Managed Care program will be effective September 1, 2023. Since SPA approval is needed for the Fee-For-Service program, ODM projects that implementation would be effective on January 1, 2024. 

Also in Ohio, the Board of Pharmacy has proposed the following rules for stakeholder feedback: 

4729:5-3-21 – Continuous Quality Improvement Programs in Pharmacy Services. (NEW – Applies to Outpatient and Institutional Pharmacies)

4729:1-4-02 – Duty to report (Pharmacists). (AMEND)

4729:2-4-02 – Duty to report (Pharmacy Interns). (AMEND)

4729:3-4-02 – Duty to report (Pharmacy Technicians). (AMEND)

4729:5-4-02 – Duty to report (Pharmacies). (NEW)

Comments on the proposed rules will be accepted until close of business on September 8 and should be submitted here.  

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

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

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

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

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

Michael Silber2023-09-08T10:49:21-04:00September 8, 2023|Ohio|

Oklahoma

The Board of Pharmacy adopted Chapter 15 approved rule allowing pharmacy technicians to administer immunizations, effective September 1, 2023.  

Also in Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) appointed Ellen Buettner as the new CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) which oversees Oklahoma's Medicaid program. She had served as Chief of Staff since 2019. 

Finally in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Pharmacists Association's (OPhA) annual convention was held in Oklahoma City last weekend where the President of Osborn Drugs, Bill Osborn, was sworn in to serve as the President of OPhA. 

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

Michael Silber2023-10-10T09:00:27-04:00September 8, 2023|Oklahoma|