Michael Silber, Author at In The States

California

AB 82, legislation establishing an age limit on select dietary supplements for weight loss or over-the-counter diet pills with penalties for violation, passed the Assembly. The bill also requires the Department of Public Health to develop a notice that retail establishments must post.

Also in California, NACDS submitted a letter of support to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) urging enactment of California SB 339, which broadens existing pharmacist authority to provide HIV prevention services and secures payment for the provision of pharmacy-provided HIV prevention services.

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted its agenda and meeting materials for the full board meeting on February 8. The board will discuss and potentially act on proposed rules related to the pharmacist-in-charge designation, the opioid antagonist protocol and continuing education.

Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and monthly bulletin on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. 

Upcoming Transitions for Medi-Cal Rx Applications (February 1)
Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for February (February 1)
Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List (February 1)
Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Pharmacy Reimbursable Physician Administered Drugs (February 1)
Updates to the Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual (February 1)

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Michael Silber2024-02-02T10:23:41-05:00February 2, 2024|California|

Connecticut

The Commission of Pharmacy held its regular monthly meeting on January 31. Several licenses and disciplinary actions were considered; no policy decisions were on the agenda.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Michael Silber2024-02-02T10:23:02-05:00February 2, 2024|Connecticut|

Delaware

On January 31, the Board of Pharmacy held its regular monthly meeting. The Board continued the following unfinished business from last year:

Pharmacists Dispensing and Administering Contraceptives Regulation Draft Update
Pharmacists Well-Being Index
Board of Pharmacy Act Revisions

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Michael Silber2024-02-02T10:22:34-05:00February 2, 2024|Delaware|

Hawaii

On January 31, the House Committee on Health and Homelessness recommended that HB 2553, legislation relate to expansion of pharmacist immunization authority, be passed with amendments by a vote of 7-1. The bill would also expand the authority of pharmacy interns and technicians under the supervision of a pharmacist to administer vaccinations.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Michael Silber2024-02-02T10:22:03-05:00February 2, 2024|Hawaii|

Illinois

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) submitted a State Plan Amendment (SPA) to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to change the methodology by which HFS will reimburse providers for costs associated with the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

Michael Silber2024-02-02T10:21:33-05:00February 2, 2024|Illinois|

Louisiana

The next PBM Monitoring Advisory Council meeting, on which NACDS has a designated seat in statute, will be meeting on February 7 at 10:30 am at the Department of Insurance offices in Baton Rouge.

Also in Louisiana, the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) Advisory Council, on which NACDS has a designated seat in statute, will be meeting February 7 at 1:30 pm at the Board of Pharmacy office.

Finally in Louisiana, the Medicaid Fee for Service (FFS) Pharmacy Program and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) updated the reimbursement methodology for clotting factor products effective on February 1.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Michael Silber2024-02-02T10:20:47-05:00February 2, 2024|Louisiana|

Maine

The state legislature held two work sessions on LD 1829, An Act to Reduce Prescription Drug Costs by Requiring Reference-based Pricing. The measure attempts to prohibit the dispensing, delivery or administration of a prescription drug at a cost that exceeds the maximum fair price during the price applicability period. The bill also attempts to prohibit insurers from purchasing or seeking reimbursement for referenced drugs at a cost higher than the maximum fair price. Lastly, LD 1829 attempts to prohibit retail pharmacies from purchasing or seeking reimbursement for referenced drugs dispensed to a consumer whose health care is provided by an insurer at a cost exceeding the maximum fair price. The bill is still pending before the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services. NACDS joined other industry groups in a letter of concern with opposition to several aspects of the bill.

Also in Maine, on February 1, the Board of Pharmacy held its regularly scheduled meeting.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Michael Silber2024-02-02T10:20:13-05:00February 2, 2024|Maine|

Massachusetts

On February 1, the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy held its regularly scheduled meeting. Two actions were taken by the board:

A proposed change to 247 CMR 3.00 will create two different licensing categories for pharmacy technicians. This proposed change is designed to attract more individuals to serve as pharmacy technicians. Once approved, the new regulations will create a Pharmacy Technician 1 (PT1) and a Pharmacy Technician 2 (PT2). The new PT1 applies to persons 16 years of age or older, is of good moral character, and has a high school education or are enrolled in a program that awards that degree or certificate. The PT1 can be licensed by the Board if they meet those qualifications. The PT1 will not be required to participate in a training program, complete a minimum hours on-the-job-training or pass a certification exam. The requirements for PT2 mirror the current regulations the licensing of pharmacy technicians. This proposed regulation must be reviewed and approved by the Governor’s office. After the Governor’s approval, a public hearing will be held to receive public comments.
A new policy on non-sterile compounding that provides some exemptions to the current USP (United States Pharmacopeia) mandate was also acted upon.

Also in Massachusetts, MassHealth provided an update to the pharmacy benefit concerning obesity drugs. To maximize the state’s ability to collect drug rebates on the following drugs, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, which oversees MassHealth, is directing Managed Care Entities to not pay for the following drugs if the provider uses 340B stock: Saxenda® (liraglutide), Victoza® (liraglutide), Ozempic® (semaglutide), Rybelsus® (semaglutide), Wegovy® (semaglutide), Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) and Zepbound® (tirzepatide)

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Michael Silber2024-02-02T10:19:37-05:00February 2, 2024|Massachusetts|

Michigan

The Department of Health and Human Services announced that effective December 22, 2023, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) is no longer a clearinghouse for Medicaid. Beginning February 2024, BCBS will no longer receive the 835/Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA). Providers who currently have BCBS associated and authorized as a billing agent in their CHAMPS provider enrollment information will need to update or modify their enrollment. To continue to receive the 835, providers will need to update their authorized billing agent in CHAMPS. For questions or assistance please

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Michael Silber2024-02-02T10:18:51-05:00February 2, 2024|Michigan|

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