Oregon
The Board of Pharmacy will meet on August 11-12; meeting materials have been posted online.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Pennsylvania
The Department of State (DOS) has issued a memo detailing the expiration dates of the professional waivers granted during the state of emergency that will expire on or before the Sept. 30 expiration of the state of emergency. Beginning August 17, the DOS will rescind waivers in several phases, starting with the waivers that have already served their purpose in pandemic response but have not been formally rescinded. Members can find a list of all the waivers and their expiration dates on the DOS website, which can also be searched by profession. NACDS is currently engaged with in-state partners, the Administration and General Assembly in recommending that critical pharmacy waivers be made permanent.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Texas
The 30-day special session Gov. Greg Abbott (R) convened in early July will end on Friday, August 6th without progress on any legislation because of the partisan standoff in the House of Representatives over the election integrity bill. The Governor vowed to call multiple special sessions until the elections bill passes.
Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) updated the Preferred Drug List.
Finally in Texas, since the Board of Pharmacy failed to secure funding from the Legislature to cover the cost of the electronic health record (EHR) to continue to be seamlessly integrated into the state’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP), access through the Appriss PMP Gateway and access to the NarxCare score will end on August 31, 2021. Free access to the PMP remains available at texas.pmpaware.net/login, but it is more cumbersome then the direct connect integration the state began paying for in 2020 when they mandated that both prescribers and dispensers check the system before prescribing opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates or carisoprodol. More information is available – News | PMP Changes (texas.gov)
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Washington
The Executive Director of the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC), Lauren Lyles-Stolz, submitted her resignation at the July board meeting. As a result, the state's board, which is responsible for establishing policy for pharmacy practice, is looking for a new Executive Director to fill the position immediately. https://www.governmentjobs.com/jobs/3170061-0/executive-director-pharmacy-quality-assurance-commission-ems-doh5705
Also in Washington, the Health Care Authority (HCA) adopted regulations effective October 1, 2021, establishing standards for provider use of the qualified prescription drug monitoring program.
Finally in Washington, the Health Care Authority (HCA) is seeking provider input on their annual survey aimed at tracking progress toward our statewide goal of payments based on health outcomes rather than paying for each medical transaction. The survey is available until August 31st. More information is available at VBP website section.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
Having accepted a Conflict Avoidance Plan, the Department of Health Care Services plans full Medi-Cal Rx implementation will begin January 1, 2022, meaning the prescription drug benefit in Medicaid managed care will move to Medicaid fee-for-service. The Conflict Avoidance Plan will be posted on the DHCS website.
Also in California, on July 1, the Department of Health Care Services updated its COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Provider FAQs.
Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy is offering a free six-hour online CE training program, "Prescription Drug Abuse and Diversion: What a Pharmacist Needs to Know," on August 11. Preregistration is required and space is limited. For questions about the event, email the Board.
Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy published a Notice of Proposed Action to amend section 1709 to Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations related to Ownership, Management and Control of Pharmacies and Other Business Entities. Written comments are due September 7.
Also in California, the California Pharmacy Law Update 2021 Edition, a free continuing education webinar from the Board of Pharmacy, is now available. The program includes recently enacted pharmacy laws, recently adopted regulations, an overview of the Board's organizational structure and activities and tips for navigating the Board's website.
Also in California, the director of the Department of Consumer Affairs issued several waiver extensions including one waiving license renewal requirements for individuals with active licenses between March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2021.
Also in California, the governor appointed Nicole D. Thibeau, a pharmacist, to the Board of Pharmacy. Since 2013, Dr. Thibeau has been Director of Pharmacy Services at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. She previously served as a pharmacist-in-charge at both Target and CVS pharmacies.
Finally in California, on July 27, Gov. Gavin Newsome (D) signed AB 133 (Chapter 143, Statutes of 2021) that includes language adding medication therapy management (MTM), provided by a pharmacist in conjunction with the dispensing of qualified specialty drugs, to the list of covered pharmacist services under the Medi-Cal program. It also makes an exception for MTM to the 85% Medi-Cal rate, requiring the Department of Health Care Services to implement an MTM reimbursement methodology.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Iowa
The Board of Pharmacy issued a response to Gov. Kim Reynold’s July 23, 2021, Proclamation of Disaster Emergency. Given there are no further suspensions of administration rules related to pharmacy licensure or registration, the board will no longer continue its enforcement discretion regarding pharmacy practice. As a reminder, the board’s responses to the governor’s various proclamations are available on the board’s website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Maryland
The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) issued a request for input on a report being prepared for the Legislature on the scope of the U.S. Supreme Court opinion in Rutledge v. Pharmaceutical Care Management Association and how to apply the decision to Title 15, Subtitle 16 of the Insurance Article. Comments are due to MIA on Sept. 10, 2021. NACDS intends to draft comments to send out for member review. If you have any comments, you’d like us to include, please send them to Jill McCormack by Aug. 31.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Nebraska
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released recent updates and information including the following:
- The Heritage Health pharmacy reference guide has recently been updated (August 2021).
- Because COVID-19 State of Emergency ended on June 30, those licensees, including pharmacy technicians, impacted by the original order (Executive Order 20-10) will be notified through a mailing that they need to renew their licenses before October 31.
- The 471-000-540 Nebraska Medicaid Practitioner Fee Schedule for Injectables was updated effective July 1.
- Provider Bulletin 21-13 includes changes to Preferred Drug List (effective July 15) and Hepatitis C (July 1) Criteria.
- DHHS announced that all Nebraskans eligible for Medicaid expansion will receive equal benefits coverage, including OTC medications, starting October 1.
- DHHS issued notice of public hearing on August 18 to receive comments on proposed changes to Nebraska Medicaid Managed Care (NAC Title 482, Chapters 2, 4 and 5). The proposed changes include removing language restricting managed care organizations from offering certain coverage, including over-the-counter drug coverage, as value-added services. Also, the proposed changes include removing language that excludes Basic benefit plan enrollees from certain services, including pharmacy services. These changes align the rules with the withdrawal of Nebraska's 1115 demonstration waiver and implementation of the Heritage Health Adult program.
Also in Nebraska, the draft July 13 minutes from the recent Medicaid DUR Board Meeting and the Board Policy Statements are now available.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Ohio
Six NACDS members have been appointed to the 11-member Ohio Board of Pharmacy Workload Advisory Committee (PWAC), including representatives from CVS Health, Kroger, Rite Aid, Walgreen and Walmart. In April 2021, the Board of Pharmacy approved the formation of a the PWAC in response to the release of a July 2020 workload survey conducted by the Board. The purpose of the advisory committee is to promote patient safety and compliance with Ohio laws and rules by analyzing survey and other data and make recommendations to the Board to address pharmacist working conditions. PWAC recommendations may include changes to Board of Pharmacy rules as well as statutory changes.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.