The Department of Health (DoH) and the Health Care Authority (HCA) are hosting a webinar on July 18th for pharmacy staff to discuss barriers in prescribing and dispensing contraception.
Also in Washington, starting on July 1st, the HCA will be publishing quarterly updates to the Apple Health billing guides and fee schedules.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy posted the new OTC Naloxone FAQ on its website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) posted the following weekly notices on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
Also in California, on June 13, the Department of Health Care Services posted a Freeze on Processing Paper Electronic Health Care Claim Payment/Advice Receiver Agreement Form [DHCS 6246 form].
Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted its agenda and meeting materials for the Full Board Meeting on June 21.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Gov. Ned Lamont (D) signed legislation (SB 1102) that allows pharmacists to order and administer COVID, flu and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) tests, pharmacists to prescribe and distribute HIV-related prophylaxis and pharmacists and technicians to administer vaccines. Governor Lamont signed another bill (HB 6768) that allows pharmacists to prescribe emergency and hormonal contraceptives.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The Board of Pharmacy published its June 2023 newsletter including the following articles.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Gov. JB Pritzker (D) has signed SB 303. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=303&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=144008&SessionID=112 Effective January 1, 2024, it will be the joint responsibility of a pharmacy and its pharmacist–in–charge to ensure that all new pharmacy technicians are educated and trained using a standard nationally accredited education and training program, such as those accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)/the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), or equivalent work experience of 500 hours as a pharmacy technician covering the practice areas as required by the Illinois Pharmacy Practice Act.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa Medicaid posted the following:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
On June 15, the Maine legislature approved LD 899, a bill that would authorize certified pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines under the direct supervision of a pharmacist and complete a certification program. Said certification program must be approved by the board and have at least six (6) hours of vaccine-related training that includes, at a minimum, training on the safe and effective administration of vaccines, hands-on injection technique, clinical evaluation of indications and contraindications of vaccines and the recognition and treatment of emergency reactions to vaccines and cardiovascular life support training. Lastly, the bill also clarifies the timing of when vaccine administration training requirements must be completed by pharmacists. The measure was approved with an emergency preamble and will be effective upon signing by the Governor.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Medicaid issued Advisory #248 from the Office of Pharmacy Services in reference to the Generic vs. Brand Status on Maryland’s Preferred Drug List effective July 1, 2023.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.