SCPhA is hosting APhA’s Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery Certificate Training Program on January 30, 2022 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at 1350 Browning Rd, Columbia, SC 29210. More information can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Please see the Provider Notice, which includes updates to the TennCare Preferred Drug List, Clinical Criteria, and Interim Criteria below for November 2021. These changes go into effect on November 1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Having received numerous written comments from Texas pharmacists in advance of the November 2 meeting and hearing from more than a dozen pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and stakeholder groups, the Board voted to withdraw the proposed rules on non-sterile compounding and send back to staff for recommendations on how to proceed.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has issued an amended standing order for COVID vaccines that includes 5 to 11-year-old patients. Additionally, they have developed a flowchart to help with decision making on booster shot dose amount. Lastly, they announced that ordering the 5-11 Pfizer vaccine is now LIVE in VaxMaX. Ordering for this week will close November 8, and orders will begin to be delivered starting November 12.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The State Health Care Authority updated HCA’s Provider billing guides and fee schedules for COVID-19.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Alabama Medicaid Agency’s (Medicaid) new Medical and Quality Review Services Contractor, Kepro, will begin reviewing prior authorization (PA) requests, hospice, nursing home, ICF-IID, PEC, and swing bed records on October 1, 2021. Kepro will review PA requests with dates of October 1, 2021, and after. Kepro will NOT review pharmacy, dental or radiology PAs.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Department of Health Care Services issued an All Plan providing guidance to Medi-Cal managed care health plans related to the Medi-Cal COVID-19 Vaccination Incentive Program. Effective September 1, participating Medi-Cal managed care health plans may be eligible to participate in the Medi-Cal COVID-19 Vaccination Incentive Program.
In California, the Board of Pharmacy published an updated list of prescribers (effective August 27) whose authority to prescribe controlled substances has been restricted by the Medical Board of California. This information is intended to prevent dispensing of controlled substances prescribed by restricted prescribers.
Also in California, the Department of Consumer Affairs issued several waiver extensions including the following. A list of current waivers is available on the DCA website.
Also in California, NACDS and the California Retailers Association sent a joint letter to the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), Board of Pharmacy and Governor’s Office requesting a pharmacy law waiver to allow pharmacy technicians to administer flu vaccines to adults. We await a response from DCA.
Lastly in California, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) published its Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin (September 1). This month’s issue includes changes to the Contract Drugs List, effective September 1, and Medi-Cal Rx Provider Training Information. As a reminder, full Medi-Cal Rx implementation is scheduled to go-live January 1, 2022 moving the prescription drug benefit from Medi-Cal managed care to Medi-Cal fee-for-service. Please review opportunities for training.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Below are the highlights from the September 1 issue of the “Idaho Administrative Rules Bulletin”. See 24.36.01, Rules of the Idaho State Board of Pharmacy *(Re-designated from IDAPA 27.01.01 to 24.36.01)
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Board of Pharmacy issued a notice to pharmacies regarding multiple fraudulent prescriptions for promethazine with codeine being faxed into pharmacies. Note: they are often accompanied by prescriptions for a Z-Pak (azithromycin).
Also in Iowa, the Board of Pharmacy announced the registration fee for all certified pharmacy technicians will be prorated as of August 16, 2021.
Also in Iowa, the Iowa Pharmacy Association will conduct a webinar entitled “Medicaid: Provider Enrollment and Medical Billings” on September 7 from 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. The speaker will be Desiree Smith, Provider Services Operations Manager, Iowa Medicaid Enterprise (IME). She will be joined by representatives of the state’s Medicaid Managed Care Organizations. Registration is required.
Finally in Iowa, NACDS submitted comments to the Board of Pharmacy on the proposed rulemaking revising the requirements for perpetual inventory. On behalf of members, we stated concerned that the proposed rule changes under ARC 5834C that expand the perpetual inventory requirements to apply to all controlled substance medications would be burdensome and would only add more “non-patient care related tasks” to busy pharmacists’ workday. NACDS requested the Board to reject the proposed rule change that would require perpetual inventories at all times for all controlled substances, and instead continue to apply this requirement only to Schedule II controlled substances.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.