Illinois
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted updated PDL (Preferred Drug List) files.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Iowa
The Board of Pharmacy announced the following rulemaking actions:
- Adopted: ARC 6174C related to Collaborative Practice Agreements – effective March 16, 2022
- Notice of Intended Action:
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- ARC 6178C related to Compounding Practices RE: Veterinary Practice – comments due by 4:30 p.m. on March 1.
- ARC 6179C related to Controlled Substances – comments due by 4:30 p.m. on March 1, and a public hearing will be held via Zoom at 10:00 a.m. on March 3. Note: the board previously noticed this proposed rule and made significant changes; this is the Amended Notice of Intended Action
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Massachusetts
MassHealth, Medicaid, has updated its COVID-19 Pharmacy Practice regarding perpetual inventories.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Michigan
This week both houses of the state legislature overwhelmingly approved HB 4348 which would help enhance patient access to pharmacy services and enhance transparency into the practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The legislation will now go to Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D). The Governor has indicated that she does intend to sign the proposal into law.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Montana
The Department of Public Health and Human Services issued a Notice of Amendment to ARM 37.85.105, updating effective dates of Medicaid fee schedules retroactively to January 1, 2022. Reimbursement for outpatient drugs did not change.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
New Hampshire
This week the New Hampshire State Senate unanimously passed SB (Senate Bill) 229, which will allow a certified pharmacy technician to administer both flu and covid vaccines. The New Hampshire Chain Pharmacy Association testified in support of passage of SB 229. The bill will now move to the House, and it is anticipated that the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee will hold a hearing during the latter half of March or in April.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
New York
The New York State Department of Health has updated NYS Medicaid Coverage Criteria for COVID-19 Vaccine Counseling. This guidance can be found on the COVID-19 Guidance for Medicaid Providers webpage, which is updated regularly.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Rhode Island
The Department of Health has filed an Emergency Amendment, effective February 10, 2022 requiring immunization against COVID-19 for all workers in a licensed health care facility and other practicing health care providers.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
South Carolina
Senate Bill S150 the SC Compassionate Care Act, sponsored by Senator Tom Davis (R), which would legalize medical cannabis for certain conditions, passed the Senate this week. The cannabis must be dispensed at a therapeutic cannabis pharmacy, which would be overseen by DHEC and the Board of Pharmacy and would have a licensed PIC. Therapeutic cannabis pharmacies must be separate and distinct from a traditional pharmacy.
Also in South Carolina, The SC Pharmacy Association’s (SCPhA) held their February Board of Director’s meeting and SCPhA House of Delegates at the SCPhA offices. They accepted nominations for both leadership positions and awards for SCPhA2022. The following Board of Director positions are open for nominations: President-Elect, Treasurer, Member-at-Large, Low Country Region Director, Midland Region Director, and speaker-elect. The House is looking to fill 3 Low Country delegate positions and 4 Midlands delegate positions. The nominations from the House floor have already occurred. However, if you are interested in nominating yourself or another individual for one of the open leadership positions, you will need to get 15 (for Board of Directors) or 5 (for delegates) signatures from active members no later than February 21, 2022. For more information and to access the signature form, please click here.
To nominate a person for an Award, please review the nomination criteria by clicking here. You must complete the application and return to SCPhA by March 15, 2022, via email to info@scrx.org. Self-nominations are allowed. Please note that nominations will not be accepted unless supportive statements are provided. Best of luck to anyone hoping to receive one of these prestigious awards.
Finally in South Carolina, Integrating Pharmacists into Primary Care (IPPC): SCPhA Certificate Training Program will be held on April 3, 2022, 8 AM – 12 PM. This certificate training program is designed to help prepare pharmacists to collaborate with medical practices. The curriculum is a combination of clinical and business concepts essential to providing high-quality sustainable services as part of an interdisciplinary team. More information and registration can be found here.
SCPhA is also offering Naloxone training for pharmacists. More information and registration can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.