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So far Michael Silber has created 2118 blog entries.

Oklahoma

Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court asked the Solicitor General to weigh in on whether a 2019 Oklahoma law establishing minimum, uniform pharmacy network access for patients and prohibiting pharmacy benefit managers from steering patients to obtain their prescription drugs from affiliated pharmacies is preempted by federal ERISA law or should be allowed to stand. The decision to seek the Solicitor General’s opinion follows multiple attempts to get SCOTUS to step in after the Tenth Circuit appeals court last year overturned a lower Oklahoma court ruling in Pharmaceutical Care Management Association v. Mulready.

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

2024-10-24T13:56:38-04:00October 24, 2024|Oklahoma|

Pennsylvania

The Senate has unanimously approved Gov. Josh Shapiro’s (D) executive nomination to add James “Jim” Reed to the State Board of Pharmacy. Jim is the Pharmacy Regional Manager for Weis Markets and previously served in several pharmacy leadership roles for Walgreens.

Also in Pennsylvania, Medical Assistance has updated the domain name of the Provider Enrollment application web page.

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

2024-10-24T13:55:51-04:00October 24, 2024|Pennsylvania|

Tennessee

The Department of Health’s Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Program (VPDIP) released “Recommendations for Vaccination After a Flood” addressing recommended vaccinations following flooding events. It includes updated vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, flu and COVID-19 as well as vaccines for cholera and typhoid.

Also in Tennessee, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee released its proposed 2025 essential and preferred formulary changes. Removals include Victoza, Humira, brand name Vyvanse and many more. The formulary changes also include new additions, tier modifications, quantity limit additions/removals and new prior authorizations.

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

2024-10-24T13:55:01-04:00October 24, 2024|Tennessee|

Alabama

During the Board of Pharmacy’s September monthly meeting, the Board discussed the strategic plan to address the findings of the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts (Public Examiners). The plan will be available on the Board’s website.

Also in Alabama, Medicaid issued an ALERT regarding RSV Prevention Criteria for the 2024-2025 season, including the following information.

  • Beyfortus® (nirsevimab), a long-acting monoclonal antibody product, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on July 17, 2023, for use in newborns and infants to protect against (medically attended) respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
  • On August 3, 2023, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) voted unanimously in favor of recommending use of Beyfortus® as indicated in its FDA package insert.
  • Beyfortus® will be administered and dispensed through the Vaccines for children Program (VFC) administered through Department of Public Health. Therefore, Beyfortus® will not be eligible for billing through the Medicaid pharmacy program.

Finally in Alabama, Medicaid issued an ALERT on October 1 as a follow-up to the ALERT dated August 1, regarding the new Disclosure Form that is posted on the Alabama Medicaid Agency (Medicaid) website. Effective October 1 and after Medicaid will enforce the new Disclosure Form.

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

2024-10-10T11:42:17-04:00October 10, 2024|Alabama|

Alaska

The Board of Pharmacy met on October 10.

Also in Alaska, the Pharmacy Board revised statutes and regulations are now available on the website. Effective September 28, there are significant changes affecting collaborative practice authorities, nationally certified pharmacy technician practices, sterile pharmaceutical guidelines, manufacturer license requirements, prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) registration, alternative to probation program and “owner” / “change of ownership” definitions.

Finally in Alaska, the Board issued new rules on expanded pharmacy technician duties (2 AAC 52.235. PHARMACY TECHNICIAN WITH NATIONAL CERTIFICATION).

(a) A pharmacy technician who holds a national certification may, at the direction of the pharmacist on duty and under the direct supervision of that pharmacist,

(1) perform a final check of and distribute a non-controlled substance prescription if

(C) the pharmacy uses software that displays the image or graphical description of the correct drug being verified; however, if there is any deviation between the image or graphical description and the actual product being distributed, a pharmacist must review and dispense the order; and (Previous Version)

(C) the pharmacy uses software that displays the image or graphical description of the correct drug being verified, or the institutional facility uses software that performs and verifies a barcode scan before administration [; HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ANY DEVIATION BETWEEN THE IMAGE OR GRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION AND THE ACTUAL PRODUCT BEING DISTRIBUTED, A PHARMACIST MUST REVIEW AND DISPENSE THE ORDER]; and (New Version, Bold and Underlined is added and Bracketed is removed)

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

2024-10-10T11:41:41-04:00October 10, 2024|Alaska|

California

On September 28, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) vetoed SB 966, PBM reform legislation that would have required licensure by the Department of Insurance among other provisions supported by NACDS.  In his veto message, the Governor said the public and the Legislature need a clearer understanding of how PBM practices are driving up prescription drug costs and explained the need for more granular information to fully understand the cost drivers in the prescription drug market and the role that PMBs play in pricing.  Gov. Newsom directed the Health and Human Services Agency to propose a legislative approach to gather much needed data on PBMs next year, which can be considered in conjunction with data from the state’s Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) reflective of the state’s entire health care delivery system.

Also in California, effective for dates of service on or after October 1, 2024, the Department of Health Care Services announced Medi-Cal pharmacy providers are eligible to supervise and bill for Community Health Worker (CHW) services when billed with CPT® codes 98960, 98961 and 98962. Modifier U2 is required when Pharmacy providers bill for claims for services rendered by CHWs.

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and weekly notice on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:

Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agendas for the following meetings:

  • Enforcement Committee – October 16 – Agenda – Note review of 2024 legislation and discussion and consideration of FDA actions related to the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA).
  • Licensing Committee – October 17 – Agenda – The following items may be of interest:
    • Presentation by the California Pharmacists Association on Assembly Bill 317 (Chapter 322, Statutes of 2023) related to Pharmacist Service Coverage
    • Discussion and Consideration of Proposed Changes to Board-Provided Training for Furnishing HIV Preexposure and Postexposure Prophylaxis
    • Discussion and Consideration of Proposed Follow-up Survey on Working Conditions

Open Discussion on Payor Practices that Negatively Impact Patient Care

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

2024-10-10T11:40:50-04:00October 10, 2024|California|

Colorado

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) continues to promote value based payments for prescription drugs and other care to reward improved access to high-quality, equitable and affordable care. In 2022, 36% of Medicaid payments were value-based payments.

Also in Colorado, the fourth annual substance use disorder (SUD) virtual stakeholder forum will be held on October 16. HCPF will review the Annual Report for Demonstration Year 3 and update the community about the 1115 Waiver “Expanding the Substance Use Disorder Continuum of Care.” Participants need to register in advance.

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

2024-10-10T11:39:55-04:00October 10, 2024|Colorado|

Connecticut

The Department of Consumer Protection updated its website to allow for electronic registration of “pharmacy clerks” as established by legislation passed earlier this year that became effective October 1. This registration is required for any individual who will physically work in an area of a pharmacy or institutional pharmacy where controlled substances or other legend drugs are dispensed by, or under the supervision of, a pharmacist.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

2024-10-10T11:39:20-04:00October 10, 2024|Connecticut|

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