The Board of Pharmacy proposed regulation changes dealing with pharmacy technicians, collaborative practice authorities, sterile pharmaceutical guidelines, manufacturer license requirements, PDMP (Prescription Drug Monitoring Program) registration, alternative to probation program and definitions. Written comments should be submitted to RegulationsAndPublicComment@alaska.gov by 4:30 pm on July 8.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Legislative Council approved a rule that allows Medicaid reimbursement for continuous blood glucose monitors (CGMs).
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health Care Servies posted the following alerts, weekly report and monthly bulletin on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed into law a late bill filed by the Colorado Chain Pharmacy Council, SB24-209, expanding the pharmacy practice. The key provisions are eliminating restrictions on telepharmacies, removing the age limit for pharmacists’ prescriptive authority, allowing dispensing through an automated dispensing system, expanding pharmacy technicians’ duties to allow point-of-care testing and administering all immunizations and the ability to request refills and perform other designated tasks.
Also in Colorado, the Colorado Pharmacists Society (CPS) workplace conditions survey is available here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
On June 11, the House of Representatives Committee on Economic Development reported favorably SB 272, an act relative to pharmacy provider status. The bill was previously approved by the Senate on May 16. This Act requires health insurers to provide the same reimbursement to pharmacists that is already provided other providers performing the same services at the same rates as advance practice registered nurses and physician assistants. The bill now continues through the legislative process in the House.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Following the severe weather that impacted South Florida on June 11, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued Executive Order 24-115 (South Florida Flash Flooding) declaring the following counties under a state of emergency: Broward, Collier, Lee, Miami-Dade and Sarasota.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Board of Pharmacy posted its June 2024 newsletter.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Following several policy victories over the last few years, pharmacy should have a clear runway to increase children’s vaccine rates in the Commonwealth. First, effective June 1, 2024, Medicaid FFS (Fee-For-Service) implemented a new policy to allow pharmacies to bill the program for vaccines. Second, last year Medicaid adopted a final rule that removed the VFC (Vaccines for Children) enrollment requirement. This change allows providers to bill Medicaid for children’s vaccines regardless of VFC participation. Lastly, HB 274 of 2024 was signed into law, lowering the age floor. Effective July 15, 2024, pharmacies will be permitted to administer any vaccine to children 5 years of age and older (lowered from age 9 years).
Also in Kentucky, the Board of Pharmacy issued the following rules for public comment, due to the Board by August 31. They are also scheduled for a public hearing on August 28. If you have comments, please send them to Jill McCormack by August 5.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Department of Health (LDH) issued several bulletins:
Also in Louisiana, three PBM reform bills pharmacies supported were sent to Gov. Jeff Landy (R) to be signed into law. SB 444 prohibits reimbursement below cost, HB 603 adds guardrails for PBM audits and SB 281 enhances the Attorney General’s enforcement authority over audits.
Finally in Louisiana, LHD created an on-line form allowing anyone to request a Medicaid Policy change.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.