Nebraska
The next meeting of the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board will be May 11, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
New Mexico
The Board of Pharmacy issued a proposed rule establishing standards for pharmacist prescribing of protocol formulary dangerous drugs and prescribing of dangerous drugs in conjunction with point-of-care testing. The rule also revises the definition of “hormonal contraception drug therapy” to include formulary products delineated in the written contraception protocol, including emergency contraception, and clarifies reporting of vaccine administration. The Board will hold a virtual hearing during their April 22-23 meeting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
North Carolina
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has no-cost antigen tests they would like to share with retail businesses that are interested in screening their employees for COVID-19. The Department of Health and Human Services will also arrange an orientation call with any NCRMA member to discuss what you need to do to request and receive the free tests from DHHS. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has a supply of Abbott BinaxNOW rapid, point-of-care antigen testing supplies available to support testing efforts to quickly identify and respond to cases of COVID-19. Facilities interested in receiving tests from the state must meet ALL the following requirements:
- CLIA Certificate — Obtain a CLIA certificate or partner with an entity with a CLIA certificate
- Physician Order — Secure a signed physician order or elect to use the Statewide Order
- PPE — Maintain an adequate supply of PPE to perform tests
- Medical Waste — Adhere to standards to properly handle and dispose of medical waste
- Training — Ensure all testing personnel have completed BinaxNOW training
- Reporting — Verify ability to complete DHHS reporting requirements. Reporting methods can be found at Getting Started with Automated Reporting.
- Quarantine & Isolation Support – Provide the necessary quarantine and isolation guidance for all individuals with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 or who are close contacts of a COVID-19 case
Request process: All facilities that meet the above requirements may apply to request tests via the request form.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
North Dakota
Gov. Doug Burgum (R) signed several bills of interest to chain pharmacy as emergency measures:
- SB 2221, lowering the age for immunizations and vaccinations to at least three years of age upon an order from a prescriber or by written protocol with a physicians or nurse practitioner; permitting a pharmacist to bill for dispensing a one-time emergency refill of up to a 30-day supply of the prescribed medication under certain conditions, and defining “public health issues” and establishing limited prescriptive authority through a statewide protocol for public health issues within the pharmacist’s scope of practice with the Board of Pharmacy adopting rules to establish standards of care, was signed on March 22.
- SB 2279, permitting the Board of Pharmacy to adopt rules to establish requirements to allow a pharmacy technician to administer a drug under the immediate supervision of a pharmacist, was signed on March 25.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
South Carolina
The Board of Pharmacy published a notice to announce the reiteration of certain emergency orders issued in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, including the suspension of the prohibition on performing remote order entry from an unpermitted site, the temporary authorization of automated pharmacy pickup kiosks, and the establishment of safe harbor provisions concerning personal protective equipment. The notice also reiterates the authorization of a one-time early refill of Schedule III, IV, and V prescriptions for valid refills, and the dispensing of Schedule II controlled substances under specified conditions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
The House Public Health Committee held hearings on two bills supported by NACDS members: HB 678 by Rep. Phil Cortez (D) that amends existing laws making permanent pharmacists’ authority to initiate, order, and administer childhood vaccines to anyone 3 and older without a prescription, and HB 2049 by Rep. Donna Howard (D) that would allow pharmacists to test and treat for flu and strep. NACDS members are encouraged to call the House Public Health Committee members to urge them to vote both bills out of the Committee so they can be set for a vote by the House of Representatives.
Photo Caption – (L-R) NACDS chain pharmacists Casey Nichols with Walgreens, Jeff Loesch with Kroger Health, and Aimee Lusson with Walgreens meet with immunization bill sponsor Rep. Phil Cortez in the Texas State Capitol after the House Public Health Committee hearing.
Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission is hosting two vaccine webinars:
- Actively Administering & Advanced VAOS Users – For COVID-19 vaccine coordinators and providers who have received allocations of the COVID-19 vaccine and are actively administering the vaccines. Discussions will focus on important news updates, clinical considerations, and advanced user tips on the systems and processes to support you.
- Basics & Beginners -For providers who are new to the COVID-19 vaccine management program and/or have not yet received allocations of the vaccine. Discussions will focus on important news updates, the enrollment process, how to access VAOS, and how to get started with requesting allocations.
- April 22, 12:00PM-1:30PM CT – Register here
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Virginia
The Board of Pharmacy has asked that we remind members that the emergency rule requiring pharmacy technician trainees to be enrolled in a training program upon registration with the Board became effective January 3.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
West Virginia
Gov. Jim Justice (R) recently signed the following bills:
- SB 182, legislation making permanent the Board of Pharmacy’s emergency rule related to the pharmacist and pharmacy intern’s authority to immunize adults according to the CDC’s Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule as well as individuals ages 11-17 years of age following the CDC’s Recommended Child and Adolescent Schedule according to a prescription and parental consent, if there are no contraindications to the vaccine, was signed on March 31 and became effective on the date of passage on March 23, 2021.
- HB 2263, legislation relating to the regulation of PBMs including establishing a reimbursement rate floor of NADAC (or WAC, if NADAC is not available) plus a $10.64 professional dispensing fee, was signed into law on April 9, 2021, and effective 90 days from passage on June 28, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Wyoming
The Board of Pharmacy’s emergency rule amends regulations under Chapter 16 to clarify standards for pharmacists to provide immunizations during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The rule removes the definition of “private space” and the requirement that the individual receiving a vaccine be seated in a chair with back support. The rule also adds vaccines approved by the FDA under the Emergency Use Authorization for COVID-19. The rule extends December 9, emergency rule and became effective April 7, and expires August 5, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.