A Final rule of the Board of Pharmacy amends regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to clarify provisions on the non-disciplinary administrative penalty for late renewal of a license, permit, registration, certification, or similar document. The rule is effective July 12, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
NACDS and the California Retailers Association submitted a joint letter to the Senate Budget Committee and the Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee in support of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) May Revise budget proposal to provide medication therapy management payments to the Department of Health Care Services’ contracted pharmacies dispensing specialty drugs and services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries and urged its passage.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
NACDS, the Colorado Retail Council, and the Colorado Pharmacy Society supported legislation that would modernize pharmacists’ scope of practice to include prescribing medications for self-limiting conditions, ordering and analyzing lab tests, and performing minor physical evaluations, which passed both housed and was sent to Gov. Jared Polis (D) on June 11th to sign into law. (SB21-094)
Also in Colorado, NACDS participated in the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies’ (DORAs’) Division of Professions and Occupations State Board of Pharmacy stakeholder meeting this week. DORA received input on potential rule changes on implementing several bills passed by the legislature including pharmacists’ and pharmacy technicians’ scope expansion that Gov. Jared Polis (D) is expected to sign into law, and clean-up and clarification of existing rules. NACDS will engage with the Board of Pharmacy as the formal rulemaking process moves forward later this summer.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Pharmacists will be able to provide and bill for substance abuse disorder services beginning July 1 under Medicaid’s new District Addiction Consultation Services (DACS) program. More information will be available soon on this webpage by clicking on “Provider Portal” then “Quarterly Pharmacy Forum” under the “Frequently Requested Documents” tab and choosing the June meeting PowerPoint presentation.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Board of Pharmacy issued a Final rule to repeal regulations under FAC 64B16-28 to remove outdated requirements for automated pharmacy systems in community pharmacies. The rule is effective June 24, 2021.
Also in Florida, the Board of Pharmacy issued a Final rule to amend regulations under FAC 64B16-28 to increase to 120 days the maximum beyond-use date requirement for labels of customized patient medication packages. The rule also requires pharmacies using customized patient medication packages to have policies and procedures addressing patient medication regimens. The rule is effective June 24, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed Executive Order 21-14 to extend the public health emergency to June 30 and Executive Order 21-15 to adjust COVID-19 requirements effective June 1st. Each directive from executive orders continued throughout the public health emergency will cease on June 30th. The following directives relating to pharmacy practice will no longer be in effect:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) sent a letter to Paul Pate, Secretary of State of Iowa, directing the Department of Human Services to amend current Medicaid managed care contracts to authorize a $10.38 dispensing fee per prescription across-the-board for all pharmacies under Section 31 of HF 891. This action is in response to a meeting and letter NACDS sent to the Governor requesting a veto of language in HF 891 directing the department to amend Medicaid managed care organization contracts to authorize the establishment of a managed care pharmacy dispensing fee that is based on the current fee-for-service dispensing fee of $10.38 or a dispensing fee that is not to exceed the current fee-for-service rate and determined contractually by mutual agreement between the managed care organization and a participating pharmacy with more than 30 locations in the state and headquarters outside the state. The Governor agreed with industry stakeholders that this policy creating differential dispensing fees for certain pharmacies raises significant constitutional concerns. NACDS acknowledges the collaborative efforts of the Iowa Retail Federation and the Iowa Pharmacy Association staff.
Also in Iowa, below are highlights from the June issue of the Iowa Board of Pharmacy newsletter. See the newsletter for additional details and more information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Board of Pharmacy has published guidance for prescribers and dispensers of controlled substances on how to correct records submitted to the Kentucky All-Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting (KASPER) system.
Also, in Kentucky, NACDS reminds members that effective July 1, 2021, MedImpact will be the single pharmacy benefits manager for the managed care program. For more information including provider notices and updates go to the Kentucky Medicaid Pharmacy Program page.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
As the Maine Legislature moves toward adjournment two key pieces of legislation have been signed into law. First, Governor Janet Mills (D) signed into law Legislative Document (LD) 603 — critical legislation that will help enhance patients’ access to convenient and affordable pharmacy-based care by recognizing pharmacists as providers of healthcare services in the state of Maine. The Governor also signed into law Legislative Document (LD) 8, the prescription drug disposal proposal that would expand the collection of unwanted prescription drugs for proper disposal and will be fully funded by the drug manufacturers.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.