Michael Silber – Page 214

Indiana

The Senate Committee on Civil Law reported out an amended version of SB 339, sponsored by Sen. James Merritt (R). As proposed, the bill would have required that a pharmacy dispense all Schedule II controlled substances in a lockable vial. The amended bill would require a pharmacist to offer patients the option of receiving their prescriptions in lockable vials. NACDS is supporting the on-the-ground efforts of the Indiana Retail Council to oppose this bill, which is now eligible for consideration by the full Senate.

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

Michael Silber2018-02-14T20:38:59-05:00February 1, 2018|Indiana|

New York

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) issued an emergency order which allows pharmacists to administer flu vaccines to children ages two to 18 years. Subsequently, NACDS worked with the Chain Pharmacy Association of New York State and the New York State Department of Health (DOH) on implementation concerns. Over the weekend, Howard Zucker, Commissioner of DOH, signed a statewide, non-patient specific order for licensed pharmacists with a certificate of administration issued by the New York State Education Department to vaccinate patients ages two years to 18 years against seasonal influenza.

Also in New York…NACDS and the Chain Pharmacy Association of New York State met with state Medicaid staff and were advised that the changes to Medicaid fee-for-service pharmacy reimbursement using NADAC plus a $10.00 professional dispensing fee will be implemented effective Thursday, February 22, on a prospective basis. Staff do not yet know when retroactive adjustments to April 1, 2017, will be made.

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

Michael Silber2018-02-14T20:37:05-05:00February 1, 2018|New York|

Oklahoma

The Board of Pharmacy and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services are offering two free continuing education offerings for a full day conference on The Opioid Epidemic: What Pharmacists Need to Know. To register for either the Friday, March 9 meeting at the University of Oklahoma Tulsa-Schusterman Center Perkins Auditorium or the Friday, March 30 meeting at Moore Norman Technology Center South Penn Campus, contact lharrison@pharmacy.ok.gov.

Michael Silber2018-02-14T20:31:35-05:00February 1, 2018|Oklahoma|

Pennsylvania

SB 542, legislation that would allow a pharmacist to dispense up to a 30-day supply of medication as an emergency refill, passed both chambers unanimously and has been sent to Gov. Tom Wolf (D) for his signature. The bill amends the current statute which only allowed a 72-hour supply to be dispensed.

Michael Silber2018-02-14T20:29:46-05:00February 1, 2018|Pennsylvania|

Washington

NACDS submitted a letter to the members of the Washington State House of Representatives Health Care and Wellness Committee in support of the State Department of Health’s legislation removing a burdensome, antiquated requirement that all e-prescribing systems be approved by the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission, formerly the Board of Pharmacy.

Michael Silber2018-02-14T20:27:07-05:00February 1, 2018|Washington|

Michigan

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs filed Administrative Rules with the Office of the Great Seal to create a standing order for dispensing opioid antagonists that was effective January 23.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

Michael Silber2018-02-14T20:52:52-05:00January 25, 2018|Michigan|

Iowa

The Department of Human Services (DHS) issued an Informational Letter with details about its upcoming cost of dispensing survey. As in previous years, NACDS submitted feedback to DHS about the survey instrument. Surveys will be mailed Tuesday, February 6 with a due date of Friday, March 30.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

Michael Silber2018-03-13T16:28:42-04:00January 25, 2018|Iowa|

New York

NACDS joined the New York State pharmacy associations in a Medicaid meeting to discuss details of the Governor’s budget proposal. New details include that the Medicaid Managed Care Medication Adherence provision would allow managed care plans to consider—not mandate—medication synchronization. Of high interest is a new proposal to institute an opioid surcharge of two cents per morphine milligram equivalent on the first sale of opioid prescriptions in the state. At the meeting, the state confirmed that they would target pharmacies as the first sale in the state. The state anticipates this will generate $170 million the first year of implementation. The stated goal of the surcharge is to prevent opioid addiction and prescribing. The budget will be completed by Sunday, April 1.

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

Michael Silber2018-02-14T20:49:04-05:00January 25, 2018|New York|

North Carolina

Medicaid reached out to the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association regarding reports that numerous pharmacies in the western part of the state are reporting little or no inventory of brand name Tamiflu (which is a preferred product on the North Carolina Medicaid Preferred Drug List). The Department has confirmed with Roche that there is no market shortage of brand name Tamiflu and other wholesalers also confirmed there was plenty of inventory with more on the way. Please contact your store operations professionals to check your Tamiflu inventory. North Carolina Medicaid would appreciate any assistance you may be able to provide to make sure your pharmacies throughout North Carolina have adequate inventory of brand name Tamiflu for North Carolina Medicaid beneficiaries.

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

Michael Silber2018-02-14T20:47:41-05:00January 25, 2018|North Carolina|

About Michael Silber