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.
Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced a May 4 special election to serve the remainder of former Sen. John Whitmire’s (D) term.
Also in Texas, the Pharmaceutical Initiative (TPI) Board held a meeting on February 9.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health (DOH) contracted with Myers and Stauffer to conduct a pharmacy cost of dispensing survey to evaluate the cost of dispensing prescription medications in the state. The DOH scheduled a webinar on February 9 at 10:30 am AKST to discuss dispensing cost survey objectives and solicit feedback on the survey tool. If you are interested in participating, contact Matt Hill.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
This week, NACDS submitted a letter of support to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services for SB 1085, authorizing pharmacists to test and initiate treatment for conditions such as influenza, COVID, strep and other respiratory illnesses and to delegate the administrative and technical tasks of performing a test to a trained member of the pharmacy staff who is under the supervision of the pharmacist. It also prohibits a health insurer from denying reimbursement for any test, screening or treatment that is within the scope of the pharmacist’s license and would be covered, if otherwise performed by a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
