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So far Michael Silber has created 1944 blog entries.

North Carolina

In response to the passage of House Bill 96 and House Bill 196, the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy has published proposed rules in the North Carolina Register to implement this legislation in three specific areas. The Board will accept written comments on these rules until May 2, 2022, and these comments can be sent to Jay Campbell by email at ncboprulemaking@ncbop.org. The Board will also hold a remote public hearing on these proposed rules on April 28, 2022, at 10:00 am.  

  1. House Bill 96 required the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy to adopt rules creating a Code of Ethics for Pharmacists. The Board has proposed 21 NCAC 46 .1820 incorporates the American Pharmacist Code of Ethics. 
  1. House Bill 96 authorized pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns to administer vaccines and immunizations allowed under N.C.G.S. 90-85.15B including COVID-19 Vaccines and Influenza vaccines for patients ten years of age and older. The Board has proposed changes to 21 NCAC 46 .2507 (Administration of Vaccines by Pharmacists) by creating a new subsection (c) to set-out the requirements for pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns to administer these vaccines including required training, supervision, offers of counseling and continuing education. Of note the required training is a practical training program approved by the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education.  

Code of Ethics for Pharmacists (21 NCAC 46.1820) and Changes to Immunizing Pharmacists Rules (21 NCAC 46.2507) – http://www.ncbop.org/LawsRules/1820_2507ProposedCodeofEthics_AdminVaccinesPublicHearingApr282022.pdf  

  1. House Bill 196 and subsequently amended by House Bill 96 authorizes immunizing pharmacists to administer long-acting injectables and the proposed 21 NCAC 46 .2514 implements this new practice area by defining what constitutes a “long-acting injectable”, provides training requirements and acceptable training programs, sets out a standard as far as possession of the long-acting injectable drug and creates records keeping requirements for the immunizing pharmacist.  

Administration of Long-Acting Injectables (21 NCAC 46. 2514) – http://www.ncbop.org/LawsRules/2514_ProposedRuleAdminLongActingInjectablesPublicHearingApr282022.pdf  

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

2022-02-11T11:33:40-05:00February 11, 2022|North Carolina|

Ohio

The Department of Health has announced that for a limited time, vaccine providers who plan to administer COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 6 months through 4 years can place advance orders for the vaccine. This advance ordering window allows providers the chance to be among the first recipients of the new formulation created for this age group. Ordering is now open through the ImpactSIIS Vaccine Ordering Management System (VOMS), and orders for this initial ordering window must be submitted no later than noon on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. It is important to note that any providers placing orders for this first set of deliveries must have staff available to receive the shipment on President’s Day, Feb. 21. 

Also in Ohio: The Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee (JMOC) will hold their monthly meeting on February 17 at 9am in the Senate Finance Room. Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran will provide an update on programs. You can access more information on JMOC’s webpage and it may be streamed and recorded on The Ohio Channel. 

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

2022-02-11T11:31:41-05:00February 11, 2022|Ohio|

Pennsylvania

The Department of Human Services has issued a bulletin announcing that Chartwell Pennsylvania will be the new Specialty Preferred Pharmacy Provider for Fee-For-Service beginning July 1, 2022. Further details are included in the bulletin.

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

2022-02-11T11:30:42-05:00February 11, 2022|Pennsylvania|

Tennessee

The Tennessee Department of Health is expanding access to COVID-19 vaccine with a particular focus on rural and underserved areas. TDH (Tennessee Department of Health) is partnering with pharmacies and community health clinics to add more than 100 new vaccination sites across the state.

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

2022-02-11T11:29:50-05:00February 11, 2022|Tennessee|

Texas

The Retailers Association (TRA) selected John McCord as their new Executive Director. McCord joins TRA after leading legislative efforts for the National Federation of Independent Business in Texas. 

Also in Texas, the Vendor Drug Program (VDP) Medicaid provided an update to the Clinical Prior Authorization Assistance Chart. The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) requires MCOs to implement specific clinical prior authorizations for clients enrolled in managed care. Usage of other clinical prior authorizations will vary between MCOs at the discretion of each MCO. HHSC publishes a criteria guide for each prior authorization with a description of the steps in the evaluation process. All steps apply to traditional Medicaid claims processed by HHSC. The assistance chart identifies which clinical prior authorization each MCO uses and whether the MCO uses all or some of the steps in the evaluation process. 

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

2022-02-11T11:27:56-05:00February 11, 2022|Texas|

Utah

The Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing temporarily suspended enforcement of the e-prescribing requirement effective January 1, 2022. 

Also in Utah, the Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing issued an emergency rule amending regulations R156-37f to require pharmacists to report the prescription origin code (DSP12) to the state’s-controlled substance database. The emergency rule was effective January 1, 2022, and expires May 1, 2022.

Also in Utah, the Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing published a final rule amending regulations under R156-17b to update pharmacy practice standards and requirements for transfer of a legend prescription and dispensing of emergency prescriptions. Among its various changes, the rule also defines “consulting pharmacist,” “designated representative,” and “responsible individual,” and updates standards for compounding relating to flavoring agents. It was published on February 1 in the “Utah State Bulletin” Vol. 2022, No. 3, p. 367. The revised “Pharmacy Practice Act Rule” has been posted to the website.

Finally in Utah, the Board of Pharmacy will meet on February 22 and has posted an agenda. The Board also announced a meeting for March 22; agenda is pending. 

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

2022-02-11T11:27:03-05:00February 11, 2022|Utah|

Virginia

HB 1323, sponsored by Del. Orrock (R) was reported from the House Health, Welfare, and Institutions Committee this week. The bill, a priority for NACDS, would continue the immunization authority extended to pharmacies by the PREP Act when the Federal Public Health Emergency expires. The bill was amended in committee with language negotiated with the pediatric community regarding physician notification and providing patient follow up in the rare event of an adverse reaction. The bill now goes to the full House for consideration.  

Also in Virginia, to increase accessibility of at-home COVID-19 test kits, VDH has developed a Standing Order to help pharmacies be able to adjudicate test kit claims and receive reimbursement. It has also been posted on the VDH website. Please note that DMAS published their coverage of at-home COVID-19 test kits policy at the end of last week. 

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

2022-02-11T11:26:13-05:00February 11, 2022|Virginia|

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