The Office of the Secretary of Family and Social Services issued a notice of a proposal to reimburse COVID-19 vaccine administration and monoclonal antibody treatment at the Medicare rate, effective July 1, 2021. Comments are due June 25, 2021. Contact Sara Albertson; FSSA, Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning; 317-233-4455; spacomment@fssa.in.gov
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy released a response to the Governor’s new Proclamation of Disaster Emergency issued on May 27, extending much of the pharmacy practice regulatory relief. The suspension of regulatory provisions identified in the Proclamation is effective through June 26, 2021, unless otherwise extended or terminated by Gov. Kim Reynolds (R). Please note the suspension of Iowa Code § 155A.32 to allow a pharmacist to engage in therapeutic drug product substitution, according to Board guidance, should not be expected to be further extended.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Effective May 30, due to the enactment of HB 135 pharmacists may administer certain injectable maintenance medications. The bill was sponsored by Del. Karen Lewis Young (D) and specifically includes drugs for psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, contraception, and vitamins. NACDS assisted in the efforts of both the Maryland Pharmacists Association and the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores in supporting this measure.
Also in Maryland, Gov. Hogan (R) signed SB 537, a bill that requires pharmacists to inform patients of lower-cost alternative drugs if the information is readily available. It will also permit pharmacists to interchange a less expensive brand-name drug that is therapeutically equivalent to the prescribed drug under certain conditions. The bill will be effective October 1, 2021; however, the Board of Pharmacy is required to promulgate regulations for certain provisions of the legislation.
Also in Maryland, the Board of Pharmacy recently shared that they will be reaching out to about 1200 pharmacists in Maryland who need to register with the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). To register, click here. For further information about registering see the Board’s FAQ.
Also in Maryland, the Department of Health has renewed its standing order allowing the dispensing of naloxone without a prescription. The order will remain in effect until June 1, 2023.
Lastly in Maryland, the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores (MACDS) is seeking a pharmacist to serve on the Maryland Pharmacy Coalition Scope of Practice and Reimbursement Task Force. You can review the minutes from their most recent monthly meeting here. Please contact Jill McCormack if you are interested in participating.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Gov. Michael Parson (R) may soon call a special session to address one critical piece of the budget, the Federal Reimbursement Allowance (FRA) or provider tax extension. FRA is a key funding mechanism for the Missouri Medicaid program for pharmacy, hospitals, nursing homes, and ambulance districts. Failure to extend these provider taxes will create a multi-billion dollar shortfall in Medicaid funding when the new federal fiscal year begins on October 1, 2021.
Also in Missouri: before adjournment, the legislature finally passed SB 63, a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) bill, making it the 50th state to adopt a statewide program.
Lastly in Missouri, unfortunately, although a PBM reform bill HB 834 by Rep. Dale Wright (R) did pass the House 126-8, it failed to advance in the Senate.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Before the adjournment of the biennial session on May 31, legislators passed four bills NACDS and the Retail Association of Nevada promoted that expand pharmacists’ scope of practice and mandate public and private payor reimbursement for services rendered.
Also in Nevada, unfortunately, AB 177 by the Assistant Majority Leader Assemblywoman Teresa Benitez-Thompson (D) that NACDS opposed was sent to the Governor. As originally filed, the bill required a pharmacy to provide a second prescription label on the vial in any language the patient requests. As a result of efforts by the Retail Association of Nevada (RAN), the bill was amended to require only a second label be attached to the vial translating the directions for use. RAN also negotiated liability protections to be added for both pharmacies and pharmacists who follow the rules.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy amended regulations under 16.19.26 NMAC to establish standards for pharmacist prescribing of protocol formulary dangerous drugs and address 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. In addition, the rule clarifies requirements for reporting vaccine administration. The rule is effective May 31, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
NACDS reminds members that HB 6 was effective on May 14. The law, sponsored by Rep. Bill Roemer (R), authorized pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to individuals over the age of seven. It also authorized pharmacists to order and administer tests for COVID-19 and COVID-19 antibodies. Pharmacy interns and certified pharmacy technicians may also order and administer tests under so under direct supervision. Additionally, it allows the Board of Pharmacy to register pharmacy technician trainee applicants over the age of 17 without a high-school diploma if the individual is enrolled in a career-technical school program. The board may also authorize applicants who are registered in another state or have satisfactory work experience or certification in a state without a registration process in place.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
HB 2648, related to pseudoephedrine (PSE), was passed by the Senate Committee on Health Care and transmitted to the Senate floor for consideration. The bill would remove the existing prescription only requirement and require an electronic system to track all over-the-counter sales of PSE in the state.
Also in Oregon, the agenda for the next Board of Pharmacy meeting being held June 9-10, 2021, has been posted.
Laslty in Oregon, the Health Authority adopted temporary regulations under OAR 333-003-5000 to prohibit health care providers and vaccine sites from requiring parental consent for coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination for minors age 15 to 17 who are exercising their right to consent under state law. The rule also establishes civil penalties of up to $500 per day per violation. In addition, the temporary regulations (OAR 333-047-2000) require persons or entities receiving state-supplied COVID-19 vaccines to comply with the OHA’s COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Site and Provider Guidance. The rules are effective May 27, 2021, and expire November 22, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
SB 982 was signed by Governor Bill Lee (R) on May 25, 2021, and removes pharmacies from oversight of the Tennessee Medical Laboratory Board and makes the state list of CLIA waived tests the same as the federal CLIA waived tests, easing previous restrictions on Tennessee pharmacies holding an active CLIA waiver.
Also in Tennessee, HB 1398 which establishes PBM standards around 340B discrimination, prohibits patient steering, prevents spread pricing and below-cost reimbursement as well as a provision, which goes into effect January 1, 2022, that requires a PBM or other health care payer, upon request of an enrollee, health care provider, or authorized third party, to furnish the cost, benefit, and coverage data of a health care plan. The bill was signed by Governor Bill Lee (R) on May 26, 2021, and (unless otherwise indicated) will take effect on July 1, 2021.
Lastly in Tennessee, the Department of Health published a proposed rule to amend, adopt, and repeal regulations under RRT 1140-11 and 1145-01 to require dispensing health care practitioners or their agents to submit specified data to the Controlled Substance Database. The rule also would not require the reporting of Schedule V controlled substances that can be dispensed without a prescription. A hearing is scheduled for August 4, 2021, in Nashville.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.