Missouri
Due to numerous questions on the drug shortages caused by the recent hurricanes, the Board of Pharmacy issued guidance to assist licensees.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Montana
Effective December 1, the Montana Pharmacy Association announced several changes: Stuart Doggett, Executive Director, will semi-retire; Deedee Grubs will begin as the association’s Executive Director; and Tony King, PharmD, MBA will serve as its lobbyist for the 2025 Montana Legislative session. Dr. King is currently the Retail Pharmacy Strategy Coordinator at St. Peter’s Health in Helena.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Nebraska
The Department of Health and Human Services posted the Excel file of the fee schedule for Injectables October 1, 2024 and published 471-000-540 Nebraska Medicaid Practitioner Fee Schedule for Injectionables.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
New Jersey
On October 17, A4953 was introduced and on October 24, the Assembly Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance held a discussion only hearing. The bill titled “Patient and Provider Protection Act” attempts to regulate PBMs by implementing a fiduciary duty and a rate floor. There are some concerns with the legislation that include cost of dispensing and definition of independent pharmacies.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
New York
NYRx released an updated Pharmacy Vaccine Billing Guidance, with new fees effective October 24.
Also in New York, on October 16, the State Department of Health hosted its monthly NYRx Pharmacy call. The agenda items included:
- OMIG Restricted Recipient Program: Requirements for primary care providers and pharmacies for patients in this program including new edits taking effect in November 2024 and February 2025, and billing and referral instructions.
- Reimbursement Changes under NYRx: Effective October 1, paying WAC for brand drugs that lack a NADAC (was WAC-3%)
- III. New Guidance Allowing 90-Day Prescriptions and 90-Day Prescribing under NYRx
- NYRx Coverage of OTC Progesterone-Only Contraception: With Opill available, NYRx reminder that they will only cover it for those with Medicaid if they obtain it from a pharmacist who is authorized to dispensing hormonal contraception per new law/ standing order and following patient questionnaire/counseling etc. or with a fiscal order from their prescriber.
- NYRx Compound Policy
- Prior Authorizations: Slides include clarification on NYRx prior authorization policies per a request for guidance.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Ohio
The following Board of Pharmacy rules have been posted for public comment by the Commonsense Initiative:
- CSI – BIA – Sterile and Non-Sterile Drug Compounding (Comments Due 11.4.2024).pdf
- CSI – BIA – FYR 2024 (Controlled Substances) (Comments Due 11.1.24).pdf (combines existing rules into single section)
- CSI – BIA – FYR 2024 (Pharmacy Technicians) (Comments Due 11.1.24).pdf (extends training period for active-duty military)
- CSI – BIA – FYR 2024 (Prescription Drug Collection) (Comments Due 11.1.24).pdf
- CSI – BIA – FYR 2024 (Probation) (Comments Due 11.1.24).pdf
- CSI – BIA – FYR 2024 (Terminal Distributors of Dangerous Drugs) (Comments Due 11.1.24).pdf
- CSI – BIA – Zoning Requirements (Comments Due 11.1.24).pdf
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Oklahoma
Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court asked the Solicitor General to weigh in on whether a 2019 Oklahoma law establishing minimum, uniform pharmacy network access for patients and prohibiting pharmacy benefit managers from steering patients to obtain their prescription drugs from affiliated pharmacies is preempted by federal ERISA law or should be allowed to stand. The decision to seek the Solicitor General’s opinion follows multiple attempts to get SCOTUS to step in after the Tenth Circuit appeals court last year overturned a lower Oklahoma court ruling in Pharmaceutical Care Management Association v. Mulready.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Pennsylvania
The Senate has unanimously approved Gov. Josh Shapiro’s (D) executive nomination to add James “Jim” Reed to the State Board of Pharmacy. Jim is the Pharmacy Regional Manager for Weis Markets and previously served in several pharmacy leadership roles for Walgreens.
Also in Pennsylvania, Medical Assistance has updated the domain name of the Provider Enrollment application web page.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Tennessee
The Department of Health’s Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Program (VPDIP) released “Recommendations for Vaccination After a Flood” addressing recommended vaccinations following flooding events. It includes updated vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, flu and COVID-19 as well as vaccines for cholera and typhoid.
Also in Tennessee, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee released its proposed 2025 essential and preferred formulary changes. Removals include Victoza, Humira, brand name Vyvanse and many more. The formulary changes also include new additions, tier modifications, quantity limit additions/removals and new prior authorizations.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.