Nebraska
Effective November 9, the Department of Health and Human Services published the COVID Ad-Hoc Fee Schedule Booster – Pediatric Vaccine Update.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Board of Pharmacy is proposing to readopt amendment regulations under NHAR Ph 807 and 808 to revise the registered pharmacy technician duties to remove the restriction that a certified pharmacy technician may not perform data entry of prescription medication orders. The rule also would remove the requirement that pharmacy technicians fulfill Pharmacy Technician Certification Board or National Healthcare Association certification. A hearing is scheduled for Nov. 17, 2021, in Concord.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
New Jersey
The New Jersey Board of Pharmacy is proposing to adopt regulations under NJAC 13:39-1 to require pharmacy permit holders and registered pharmacists-in-charge to implement a continuous quality improvement program to prevent prescription errors.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
North Carolina
See the latest Statewide Standing Orders issued by State Health Director Dr. Betsey Tilson for the administration of the COVID vaccines to patients ages 5-11 and 12-17. These Statewide Standing Orders enable pharmacies to be reimbursed for programs such as Medicaid.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Ohio
The Board is proposing an amendment to OAC 4729:5-5-06 to require the contact phone number of the dispensing pharmacy on the prescription label. This rule only applies to labeling of drugs dispensed by an outpatient pharmacy. Please send all comments to by close of business November 24th to RuleComments@pharmacy.ohio.gov.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Oklahoma
Board of Pharmacy posted an "Inadequate Staffing" Form on its website. According to the Board's notice, a pharmacist may complete this form "if conditions exist that could cause prescriptions to be filled in an unsafe manner with regard to staffing in the pharmacy". Board staff will be reviewing the completed forms.
Also in Oklahoma, the Board of Pharmacy issued a correction to the OBNDD fax number in this recent communication. The Board of Pharmacy issued this alert: "Please be aware that there have been several Pharmacy Burglaries (Nighttime Break-Ins) recently. Please be alert to any suspicious activities. The DEA 106 Forms for theft/loss of CDS must be reported to the DEA, OBNDD and OSBP. OBNDD is requesting that the pharmacies fax the DEA 106 Forms for Burglaries to: Attention: Cynthia Perez, Criminal Intelligence Analyst, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs – Fax 405-524-7619. Make sure that you include the Police Report and provide Surveillance Video if available. Please make sure that your alarm systems are working properly and consider enhancing your security systems as well."
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Tennessee
TPA has partnered with the South Carolina Pharmacy Association for the 19th Annual SE Women of Pharmacy Leadership Conference! TPA members pay at the member rate for full registration: Use the code STATE.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Arkansas
Governor Asa Hutchinson (R) and legislative leaders have finally reached an agreement on a tax cut package, so the Governor is now expected to make a formal statement soon announcing that he will convene a special session after Thanksgiving. NACDS has confirmed with several sources that the repeal of the Insulin Rebate law, Act 1104, will be an issue the legislature addresses.
Also in Arkansas, the Governor has been assured by his Department of Human Services that the federal government will be granting a new waiver soon for the Medicaid expansion program first enacted in 2014.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
The Department of Health Care Services published its Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin – November 1, 2021 issue. Below is the outline from this month's bulletin.
- Changes to the Contract Drugs List (CDL), Effective November 1, 2021
- Changes to the Contract Drugs List (CDL) – Over the Counter Drugs, Effective November 1, 2021
- Pharmacy Provider Notice
- Prior Authorization Fax Form Available
- Medi-Cal Rx Pharmacy Providers Electronic Fund Transfer Set Up and opt out
- Medi-Cal Rx Transition and Resources Training – Register Now!
- Medi-Cal Rx Transition Pharmacy Cutoff Instructions
Also in California, as of January 1, 2022, all pharmacy benefits will transition away from CA-MMIS and the Medi-Cal managed care plans to Medi-Cal Rx. This transition will create a uniform process for pharmacy providers and prescribers and applies to everyone in Medi-Cal fee-for-service and managed care. All benefits that are billed on a pharmacy claim will be transitioned to Medi-Cal Rx and all Prior Authorizations (PA) will be reviewed by Medi-Cal Rx starting on January 1, 2022. Magellan Rx Management, the state's vendor, created these resources and information to assist pharmacy providers in their preparations for the implementation of Medi-Cal Rx.
- "Are you ready?" – Summary of information and resources for pharmacies and pharmacists.
- The Contract Drugs List (CDL) is found on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal and contains the searchable Medi-Cal Formulary. The CDL displays drugs covered by Medi-Cal without a prior authorization (PA). The searchable CDL allows prescribers to easily identify all covered drugs. Registering for the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal allows for easy access to the Provider Portal, where the CDL can be found through the Forms & Information link.
Also in California, the following documents were recently posted on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
- User Administration Console (UAC) Registration – Next Steps
- User Administration Console (UAC) Quick Start Guide
- User Administration Console (UAC) Registration Reminders and Helpful Tips
- Pharmacist Training Checklist
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is seeking eligible persons to expand the Medi-Cal Contract Drug Advisory Committee to a maximum of ten members, including three pharmacists. Interested persons may submit their statement of qualifications and CV/resume to DHCS by November 19. For details, see "Medi-Cal Contract Drug Advisory Committee (MCDAC)" on the DHCS website.
Also in California, NACDS submitted comments to the Board of Pharmacy outlining concerns with proposed rules that would impose onerous inventory reconciliation requirements on pharmacies throughout the state. Our comments urged the Board not to layer on additional requirements beyond what DEA requires, explaining that the Board's proposal would result in a cumbersome new process for pharmacies to accommodate.
Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy published a Notice of Proposed Action that will require each permit holder to notify the board of any temporary closure of a facility as soon as the closure exceeds three consecutive calendar days. The closure status will be public information. Comments on the proposed text will be accepted by the board until December 13.
Also in California, the Department of Consumer Affairs issued the following waiver extension:
DCA Waiver DCA-21-200 Order Extending DCA-20-02, 20-57, 20-91, 21-165, and 21-187 Order Waiving License Reactivation or Restoration Requirements – Final Extension. A list of current waivers is available on the DCA website.
Finally in California, the Department of Public Health developed a Q&A for booster doses now available for Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.