This week, the House unanimously passed HB 274, a bill that would allow pharmacies to administer ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) vaccines to children aged 5 years and older. The bill also removes the current vaccine prescription requirement for children. The Kentucky Medical Association stood down following negotiations that raised the age from 3 years to 5 years. The bill now goes to the Senate.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) updated instructions for pharmacies to file PBM complaints on its PBM website. As a reminder, the Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Licensure and Regulation Act, PA 11 of 2022, took effect on January 1, 2024. This law introduces new licensing obligations and regulatory standards for PBMs operating in the state.
Also in Michigan: The Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is soliciting comments from the public on the Michigan Medicaid Health Plan Common Formulary, which applies to pharmacy claims paid by Medicaid managed care organizations. The public may submit comments on the drugs included or not included on the Common Formulary, new drug products, prior authorization criteria, step therapy criteria and other topics related to drug coverage under the Common Formulary. Comments should be sent to formulary analyst Linda Van Camp by March 15.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
MO HealthNet, Medicaid, is conducting a survey regarding the implementation of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities (SUPPORT) Act’s prescription drug monitoring program mandate.
Also in Missouri, pharmacy technician renewals e-mail address and address changes should be submitted to the Board by February 15. Submit either online, by fax (573-526-3464) or by email to https://pr.mo.gov/pharmacists-coa.asp. Name changes require a copy of the marriage certificate, divorce decree or driver’s license.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health and Human Services uploaded the February 7 COVID-19 Provider Meeting Recording. The next call will be held on March 6 at 12:00 noon (Central).
Join from the meeting link:
https://sonvideo.webex.com/sonvideo/j.php?MTID=mc307e2dda218d1060adfed7f454cfc16
Join by phone:
408-418-9388 (access code: 2480 661 3098 )
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
On February 6, the Department of Financial Services posted updated, proposed regulations on PBMs. NACDS is reviewing the regulations and will get analysis out to members as soon as possible.
Also in New York, NACDS will be participating in the Community Pharmacy Association of New York State lobby day on February 13 in Albany. On the agenda is advocacy for test and treat legislation, budget sections that impact Medicaid reporting, inspector general audit rules and other scope expansion.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
On February 1, 2024, the Board of Pharmacy proposed Notice of Text for new administrative rules concerning emergency closures of pharmacies due to staffing shortages or other issues. Please see Pages 972-973 (PDF Pages 22-23) of the North Carolina Register, Volume 38, Issue 15. The North Carolina Board of Pharmacy will hold a Public Hearing on March 12 at 9:30 am at the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy and will accept written comments until April 1. Written comments may be submitted to Jay Campbell, 6015 Farrington Rd Ste 201, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 or by email to ncboprulemaking@ncbop.org.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The 2nd Regular Session of the 59th Legislature convened at 12:00 noon on February 5.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board posted the agenda for its next meeting on February 21. Ozempic, Trulicity and Shingrix are listed on the agenda for affordability review. Please register in advance of the meeting.
Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda and meeting materials for its special board meeting on February 23.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
SB 1000, legislation to strengthen and further regulate Medicaid Managed Care PBMs was introduced by Senators Judy Ward (R) and Tina Tartaglione (D). The legislation got further momentum this week when Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) delivered his budget address and expressed the need to further regulate PBMs: “Drug companies keep raising prices, but we often don’t know why, because the middlemen negotiating those drug prices between your health insurance company and drug manufacturers don’t have to report enough information to the Insurance Department. Those middlemen are called Pharmacy Benefit Managers – or PBMs – and they have made record profits on the backs of Pennsylvanians. It’s time to reform the operation of PBMs. We’re doing our part – we need legislation to go further.” NACDS assisted in-state partners in drafting the bill and is working with them to advance it.
Also in Pennsylvania, the Department of Human Services (DHS) issued MA Bulletin 01-24-03, updating the prior authorization process for opioid use disorder treatments.
Finally in Pennsylvania, the state released an urgent bulletin stating that the Pharmacy Naloxone Copay Assistance program has been suspended due to funding issues but also indicated that it is seeking a solution.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.