Nebraska
The Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for its upcoming meeting on May 20.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
New Hampshire
On May 15, 2024, the New Hampshire Senate Committee on Health considered HB 1365, a bill relative to the substitution of biological products by pharmacies. The bill intends to allow for the substitution by a pharmacist of an interchangeable biological product for another interchangeable biological product. HB 1365 had been previously approved by the House. NACDS will remain engaged on this legislation.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
New York
On May 15, 2024, the State Department of Health held its monthly NYRx, the Medicaid pharmacy benefit program, call for stakeholders in the pharmacy community. The agenda included a wrap up of the state budget, update to over-the-counter COVID-19 testing and pharmacy claims edit.
On May 15, 2024, A9729, a bill related to shared pharmacy services, was approved by the Assembly. Under the bill, “shared pharmacy services” means a system that allows a registered pharmacist or a registered pharmacy, pursuant to a request from another registered pharmacist or pharmacy to process or fill a prescription or order, pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of Education. The bill now moves to the Senate where we expect action. NACDS will continue to advocate for the bill’s passage.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Oregon
NACDS submitted comments to Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) urging it to consider NACDS reimbursement principles in any upper payment limits (UPL) methodology established by the PDAB. The letter urged the Board to ensure that pharmacies be paid no less than the UPL in addition to a professional dispensing fee. The Board has circulated a survey to pharmacies in the state requesting feedback on the UPL methodology and will be conducting a series of meetings in the coming weeks to discuss the feedback from the surveys.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
South Carolina
The General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 10 as required by South Carolina law. Per the sine die resolution, bills with conference committees appointed can meet to work on conference reports. NACDS’ priority legislation, H. 3988 (PREP (Pre exposure Prophylaxis) codification) was amended in the Seante, but the House did not concur with Senate changes, sending the bill to conference committee. Assigned Conferees are Senators Cromer, Martin and Hutto and Representatives Mark Smith, Davis, and W. Jones.
Also in South Carolina, on May 8, the Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) announced it will implement a single, state-directed pharmacy benefit preferred drug list (PDL) for all providers enrolled in the Healthy Connections Medicaid program. This change, which was announced in Medicaid bulletin MB# 24-016, is effective July 1, 2024.
As announced in MB# 24-016, SCDHHS will host two live provider training webinars on May 22 from 7:30 am-9:00 am and from 12:30 pm -2:00 pm. These provider training sessions will be geared toward prescribers and dispensers. The training will include subject matter expert panelists to answer questions about the transition to the single PDL.
Providers can register for the training webinars at this registration link. Providers can submit questions about the transition to the single PDL when registering for one of the webinars.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Tennessee
The Board of Pharmacy met on May 7 and provided several key regulatory insights:
- BOP CE (Continuing Education) Violations Policy has been updated on the website and will be effective July 1, 2024. The new policy clarifies disciplinary action procedures, including signing an Agreed Citation if found to be in violation of the policy.
- BOP has granted its Executive Director the authority to issue waivers for the rule requiring out-of-state pharmacists to be licensed for 12 months before being eligible for a state license.
- Licensing fees will increase across the board as the BOP works to resolve its budget.
- BOP will use the NABP form for conducting GAP analysis during compounding facility inspections. The updated form will be under “Applications” on the BOP website.
- BOP Town Hall on compounding rules will be August 21. A virtual meeting link will be created, and the public can also attend in-person at 665 Mainstream Drive in Nashville.
The next BOP Rules Review meeting will be held on June 13 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm CT.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
NACDS met with Rep. Stephanie Klick (R), Chair of the House Public Health Committee, in her Ft. Worth district. The meeting in her district was a valuable opportunity to reconnect with Chair Klick thanking her for her leadership and support in promoting patient access to healthcare services. (Photo: Left to right: Mary Staples, NACDS – Cody Cribb & Stephanie McConnell, Walgreens – Texas State Rep. Stephanie Klick – Jill Lester & Jeff Loesch, Kroger).
Also in Texas, the Texas Federation of Drug Stores held a pharmacy advocacy training program and its quarterly meeting prioritizing chain pharmacy’s 2025 legislative agenda.
Finally in Texas, Speaker Dade Phelan (R) announced the 2024 Interim Charges for the House of Representatives.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Utah
The Board of Pharmacy posted its May 2024 newsletter.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Washington
The Health Care Authority (HCA) is extending the April 27 implementation of the Pharmacy Point of Sale (POS) Replacement system. The new targeted go live date is June 8.
Also in Washington, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) revised its Ancillary Utilization Plans and the Administration of Drugs and Devices guidance document to include pharmacy assistants with a technician in training endorsement that are enrolled in a commission-approved Pharmacy Technician Education and Training Program.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.