Michael Silber, Author at In The States

California

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.

Michael Silber2021-09-03T08:50:44-04:00September 3, 2021|California|

Idaho

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)

24-3601-2000F Rules of the Idaho State Board of Pharmacy – Notice of Omnibus Rulemaking – Adoption of Pending Fee Rule – Reauthorizes Title 36, Chapter 01 – Bulletin Vol. 20-11SE (PLR 2021)
24-3601-2000F Rules of the Idaho State Board of Pharmacy – Notice of Omnibus Rulemaking – Proposed (Fee) Rule – Reauthorizes Title 36, Chapter 01 – Bulletin Vol. 20-9SE
24-0000-2000 IDAPA 24 – DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSES – Notice of Legislative and Executive Action Affecting Certain Boards and Commissions Under the Department of Self-Governing Agencies – House Bill 318, Session Law 96, and Executive Order 2020-10 and Assignment of New IDAPA Designation Number Under the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses – Redesignated as IDAPA 24, Title 36, Chapter 01 – Bulletin Vol. 20-7 (eff. 7-1-20)
27-0000-2000 IDAPA 27 – BOARD OF PHARMACY – Notice of Legislative and Executive Action Affecting the Idaho Board of Pharmacy Under the Department of Self-Governing Agencies – House Bill 318, Session Law 96, and Executive Order 2020-10 and Assignment of New IDAPA Designation Number Under the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses – Redesignated as IDAPA 24, Title 36, Chapter 01, – Bulletin Vol. 20-7 (eff. 7-1-20)
27-0101-2000F Rules of the Idaho State Board of Pharmacy – Notice of Omnibus Rulemaking – Adoption of Temporary (Fee) Rule – Reauthorizes Title 01, Chapter 01 – Bulletin Vol. 20-4SE (eff. 3-20-20)T

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Michael Silber2021-09-03T08:49:59-04:00September 3, 2021|Idaho|

Iowa

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.

Michael Silber2021-09-03T08:49:11-04:00September 3, 2021|Iowa|

Kentucky

The BOP has withdrawn its recent regulation 201 KAR 2:410E expanding pharmacies immunization authority and replaced it with an emergency revised regulation that includes the most recent HHS Guidance allowing pharmacy technicians to administer influenza vaccines to adults. The regulation maintains the ability of any pharmacist to order and administer vaccinations for anyone over the age of three years old, under a protocol. The regulation will next be reviewed by the Administrative Regulatory Review Subcommittee of the General Assembly. However, because it was filed as an emergency regulation, it is in effect now.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Michael Silber2021-09-03T08:48:35-04:00September 3, 2021|Kentucky|

Maryland

Medicaid published Advisory #231 from the Office of Pharmacy Services in reference to the Pharmacy Provider Guidance on COVID-19 Additional Vaccine Dose for The Maryland Medicaid Fee-for-Service (FFS) Program.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Michael Silber2021-09-03T08:48:02-04:00September 3, 2021|Maryland|

Michigan

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has scheduled a Medicaid Pharmacy Provider Liaison meeting to allow Medicaid staff and Medicaid Pharmacy Providers to meet and discuss policy and operational issues. This quarter’s Pharmacy Liaison Meeting Notice contains the link and phone number to join, and will take place Thursday, September 9th from 2:30-4:30pm.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Michael Silber2021-09-03T08:47:03-04:00September 3, 2021|Michigan|

Nebraska

The Department of Health and Human Services announced the COVID-19 Ad-Hoc Schedule 3rd Dose Vaccine Update.  Effective date was August 12, 2021. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Michael Silber2021-09-03T08:46:18-04:00September 3, 2021|Nebraska|

New Mexico

Below are highlights from the September issue of the Board of Pharmacy newsletter. See the newsletter for additional details and more information.  

HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis and Point-of-Care Testing: Pharmacist prescriptive authority for the prescribing of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis therapy in conjunction with point-of-care testing was approved by the Board during its April 2021 meeting. Pharmacists who wish to obtain this prescriptive authority must go through Board-approved training and adhere to the Board-approved protocol.
Regulation Updates
- 16.19.4 NMAC – Medical cannabis
- 16.19.20 NMAC – Changes to the scheduling status of certain substances
- 16.19.30 NMAC – Changes to the compounding of nonsterile pharmaceuticals.
- 16.19.31 NMAC – Emergency Provisions adding a section outlining Board authority to authorize extensions for unavailable training or testing during a declared emergency. This includes pharmacist license under reciprocity, technician registration, or pharmacist prescriptive authority.

2021 Law Update Schedule

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Michael Silber2021-09-03T08:45:39-04:00September 3, 2021|New Mexico|

New York

Senator Bradley Hoylman (D) introduced S 7320 legislation which would expand pharmacists’ authority to administer COVID immunizations down to age two. No hearing has been scheduled yet.

Also in New York, the NYS Department of Health held a webinar to update the pharmacy stakeholders on implementation of a single statewide formulary for opioid dependence agents and opioid antagonists effective October 1, 2021. The full presentation will be available on the Department of Health Website within the week. The Department of Health highlighted that a single formulary would provide consistent same rules for all Medicaid programs both FFS and MC for these categories of drugs.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Michael Silber2021-09-03T08:44:00-04:00September 3, 2021|New York|

About Michael Silber