Michael Silber, Author at In The States

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So far Michael Silber has created 2507 blog entries.

California

On June 19, the Board of Pharmacy (Board) received notification from the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) that the Board's compounding regulation changes were approved. The Notice of Approval provides that the new regulations will become effective on October 1.

As required by law, the Board conducted a comprehensive review of its compounding regulations and identified necessary changes after United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) General Chapters became compendial. These efforts resulted in the Board voting, as part of its April 2023 Board meeting, to promulgate new regulations. Since that time, and after five formal comment periods, a regulation hearing and extensive review and discussion over the course of multiple public meetings, the Board completed the formal rulemaking process. With the recent approval by the OAL of the updated compounding regulations promulgated by the Board, the Board wishes to update its stakeholders on its policy related to licensees transitioning to the updated USP General Chapters and updated regulations.

During this intervening period, the Board encourages licensees to continue transitioning to the new standards established in USP and to take steps to establish compliance with the Board's updated regulations.

Source: View the policy statement. Revised July 28.

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

Michael Silber2025-07-31T15:04:21-04:00July 31, 2025|California|

Colorado

The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing l(HCPF) is hosting its annual virtual Stakeholder Webinar on August 12 from 9:00 am to 11:00am MT. Leaders will discuss emerging federal threats to Medicaid, state budget challenges, Medicaid cost trend drivers and HCPF's priorities for fiscal year 2025-2026.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Michael Silber2025-07-31T15:03:41-04:00July 31, 2025|Colorado|

Indiana

The Pharmacy Access for Contraceptives for Hoosiers (PATCH), a grant program for pharmacies who have or are planning to implement contraceptive prescribing services, expired on July 30.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Michael Silber2025-07-31T15:03:16-04:00July 31, 2025|Indiana|

Kansas

The Board of Pharmacy is seeking a pharmacist to volunteer to serve on the Collaborative Drug Therapy Management Committee to review the current statewide protocols for testing and initiation of therapy for influenza, acute group A strep and acute uncomplicated UTI in women. Interested parties must submit a resume and letter of interest to pharmacy@ks.gov by September 2.

Also in Kansas, the University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita, the Kansas Hospital Association and DCCCA, are conducting a study designed to improve access to substance use disorder (SUD) care aimed at identifying the barriers to treating individuals with SUDs.

Finally, the Board of Pharmacy adopted several new rules at the July 11 meeting, which will go into effect in August 2025.

K.A.R. 68-7-10

K.A.R. 68-7-10a

K.A.R. 68-21-2

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Michael Silber2025-07-31T15:02:50-04:00July 31, 2025|Kansas|

Louisiana

The Board of Pharmacy adopted new requirements for the Pharmacist-in-Charge (PIC), that were effective on June 20. The amended rule reduces the minimum experience requirement for a pharmacist to qualify as a PIC from two years to one year of active pharmacy practice, and it expands the responsibility for the supervision, management and regulatory compliance of the entire prescription department to include both the PIC and the owner of the pharmacy permit.

Also in Louisiana, the Board of Pharmacy published the July 2025 newsletter.

Finally, the Board of Pharmacy released the July 2025 Advisory Council update on the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP).

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Michael Silber2025-07-31T15:02:17-04:00July 31, 2025|Louisiana|

Michigan

Medicaid is seeking new applicants to serve on its newly reimagined Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC). Specifically, they are encouraging individuals who have experience with Medicaid as an advocate, community leader or direct service provider to apply.

Applications will be accepted until 5:00 pm on August 8. Visit the Online Application to learn more and apply. Questions can be directed to MDHHS-MAC@michigan.gov.

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

Michael Silber2025-07-31T15:01:34-04:00July 31, 2025|Michigan|

Missouri

The Board of Pharmacy reminded pharmacy technicians that effective August 4 pharmacy technician applications must be submitted via the MOPRO online licensing portal and that paper applications will no longer be available. MOPRO is the new licensure system for the Division of Professional Registration.

Also in Missouri, registration is open for the August 19 virtual Noon "Lunch with the Chief Inspector" update on pharmacy technicians.

Also in Missouri, the Health Department (MHD) launched a self-service feature on the Pharmacy and Medical Pre-Certification Helpdesk Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system for prior authorization (PA) requests for drugs. This enhancement allows pharmacies and providers to check the status of faxed drug PA requests instantly. To use this feature, providers will need their National Provider Identifier (NPI), the participant's MO HealthNet ID (DCN) and the date the request was faxed.

Finally in Missouri, the 2025 Pharmacy Practice Guide was recently updated.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Michael Silber2025-07-31T15:00:57-04:00July 31, 2025|Missouri|

Nebraska

As a reminder, LB 118 (Statute 38-2866.01), increasing the pharmacist-to-pharmacy technician ratio to permit a pharmacist to supervise any combination of pharmacy technicians and pharmacist interns up to four people, is effective September 3. Also recall, for any pharmacist supervising four pharmacy technicians or pharmacist interns, at least one person must be a certified pharmacy technician.

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the first round of Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits, issued on April 23, 2025, will be expiring on August 23, 2025. Summer EBT funds can be used to purchase nutritious foods at grocery stores, online food retailers, and farmer's markets that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) EBT.

Finally in Nebraska, the Board of Pharmacy published its draft minutes from the July 14 meeting. The next Board of Pharmacy meeting is scheduled for September 8.

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

Michael Silber2025-07-31T15:00:03-04:00July 31, 2025|Nebraska|

South Carolina

The PEBA, the state agency responsible for the administration and management of the state’s retirement systems and employee insurance programs for the state’s public workforce, awarded the contract for pharmacy benefits management services to CVS Caremark. Beginning January 1, 2026, CVS Caremark will replace Express Scripts as the PBM for the State Health Plan. The initial contract term is two years with three one-year renewal options, for a maximum contract term of five years.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

Michael Silber2025-07-31T14:58:53-04:00July 31, 2025|South Carolina|