The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has issued updated guidance to help people celebrate the holiday season more safely as the state continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) posted the following:
For the latest information and updates impacting Iowa’s enrolled vaccine providers, please visit the IDPH COVID-19 Vaccine Providers webpage, and click on the most recent version of the “ Vaccine Information Brief”. If you have questions, contact the COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 1-800-831-6293 ext. 1 or COVID19Vaccine@idph.iowa.gov.
Also in Iowa, the Board of Pharmacy published a Notice of Intended Action to amend Chapter 39, “Expanded Practice Standards” relating to collaborative pharmacy practice agreements between pharmacists and Iowa-licensed prescribers who have independent prescribing authority. The rule making identifies the minimum required elements of these agreements. Comments are due by 4:30 p.m. on November 23.
Also in Iowa, the Department of Human Services announced registration is open for the November 2021, December 2021, and January 2022, virtual town halls for both providers and members. Please note the November and December meeting dates are different due to the holidays. Beginning in January 2022, the monthly virtual town halls will be held on the fourth Thursday of each month. For details, including registration, refer to INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2283-MC-FFS-D.
Finally in Iowa, if you are a provider, or part of a provider entity, that receives payments of $5,000,000 (million) or more from Iowa Medicaid in any federal fiscal year (October 1 to September 30), then INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2275-MC-FFS-D, related to annual submission requirements regarding prevention and detection of Medicaid fraud and abuse, applies to you or your organization.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Department of Health (LDH) Secretary Courtney Phillips released LDH’s business plan in almost a decade, titled Together: Building a Stronger LDH and a Healthier Louisiana for state fiscal year (FY) 2022. The plan identifies and details 17 initiatives and 42 goals under four major commitments.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Commerce and Insurance Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) issued a standing order for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for ages 5-11 years old. Pharmacies using a physician protocol to administer the Pfizer COVID-19 pediatric vaccine need to make certain that their protocol includes this age group and booster doses. DHSS will host a webinar on November 8 at 2:00 p.m. Central to discuss booster doses and, vaccinating children ages 5-11 years old. Register at this link.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy published the November 8 meeting agenda and the September 13 draft meeting minutes. The November 8 meeting will be in-person and available to the public via WEBEX; see the agenda for details.
Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the next weekly COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on November 17 at noon (Central).
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Governor Kathy Hochul (D) signed into law legislation SB 4807A authorizing pharmacists to administer additional vaccines recommended by the CDC to patients 18 years of age and older. This could not have been achieved without the support and drive of the Community Pharmacy Association of New York State and over 100 patient advocacy groups.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
On October 29, 2021, State Health Director Dr. Betsey Tilson issued new Statewide Standing Orders for Monoclonal Antibody Therapy for COVID-19.
More information concerning the US DHHS PREP Act declaration authorizing pharmacists to order and administer select COVID-19 therapeutics is found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Gov. Doug Burgum (R) issued Executive Order No. 2021-17, convening a Special Session of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly on November 8. Both the House – Day 1 and Senate – Day 1 agendas have been posted along with the bills submitted to the Delayed Bills Committees for the 2021 Special Session.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Board of Pharmacy will conduct its Strategic Planning Meeting on November 17-18 and published an agenda with information for public access by phone.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.