Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed SB 773/HB 1135, companion bills authorizing pharmacists to order vaccinations for individuals 3 years of age or older without needing to administer the vaccine themselves. This change supports the dispensing of self-administered or caregiver-administered vaccines, such as the nasal spray flu vaccines.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is soliciting comments from the public on the Medicaid Health Plan Common Formulary, which applies to managed care organization (MCO) claims. The public may submit comments by June 12 on the drugs included or not included on the Common Formulary, new drug products, prior authorization criteria, step therapy criteria and other topics related to drug coverage under the Common Formulary.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
SB 878, legislation expanding pharmacists’ scope authority for CLIA-waived tests, ordering and administering vaccines and allowing for prescribing certain types of medical equipment, passed both houses and was sent to Gov. Mike Kehoe (R).
Finally in Missouri, the General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn on May 15.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy’s next hybrid meeting is on June 3 and 4 in Las Vegas.
Also in Nevada, the Board of Pharmacy will hold a Public Hearing on June 4 to discuss the Proposed Rule regulating workforce, establishing certain requirements governing the staffing of certain pharmacies, including revising the number of pharmaceutical technicians or pharmaceutical technicians in training that a pharmacist is authorized to supervise, depending on the type of pharmacy in which the pharmacist is working.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
NACDS sent Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) a letter urging him to sign SB 1565, a bill aimed at expanding maternal health and nutrition services for SoonerCare Medicaid beneficiaries through better access to “Food is Medicine” interventions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy distributed a notice announcing that on June 9, they will activate a PMP [Prescription Monitoring Program] Gateway feature called provider authorization. On that date anyone without an active Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS) user account or an account with missing or inaccurate information will lose access. Please refer to the notice for instructions on how to update or create an account.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted its agenda materials for the May 20 meeting. Check the PDAB website for updates prior to the meeting. Register in advance.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Department of Insurance (PID) announced the launch of a new online portal specifically for pharmacies to submit complaints related to the enforcement of Act 77, the 2024 PBM commercial market reform law. The new portal is intended to create a single, streamlined submission form that collects all required information and allows pharmacies to file complaints related to clawbacks, steering, rebates, reimbursement and specialty drug designations. NACDS encourages members to test the portal and share your feedback with Jill McCormack.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Federal law requires all providers who order, refer or prescribe (ORP) services or items for Medicaid members to be enrolled in respective state Medicaid programs. Currently, pharmacists are notified at point of sale if prescriptions were written by a non-enrolled Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) provider with the statement “prescriber enrollment is required in SC’s Medicaid program.” Pharmacists that dispense vaccines and naloxone through South Carolina protocols without a prescription are required to be enrolled in South Carolina’s Healthy Connections Medicaid program. Please refer to information provided by the South Carolina Pharmacy Association.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
