The Council on Medicaid Pharmacy Reimbursement met on July 30 to receive updates from the Department of Health (LDH) on the state’s single PBM, the Medicaid PDL and the Myers and Stauffer dispensing cost survey that will be distributed to pharmacies in early August.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Maine Board of Pharmacy held its regular scheduled meeting on August 1, 2024. The agenda included proposed rulemaking on:
The next meeting will be a rulemaking subcommittee meeting on August 19, 2024.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy posted its August newsletter. Included in this newsletter is information about pharmacy license renewals.
Also in Massachusetts, the formal legislative session ended early in the morning on August 1. The legislature failed to pass a conference report for S2520, an Act relative to pharmaceutical access, costs and transparency. The bill would have included reporting to the Health Policy Commission, PBM licensure, audit regulations, prohibition of spread pricing and other fees and required drug rebates returned to consumer. As both chambers have unanimously passed their versions of the bill, there is a slight chance the legislature could advance the bill during informal sessions; however, only one member of a chamber is needed to prevent floor action. NACDS will continue to advocate for PBM policy principles in Massachusetts during the informal legislative session for the remainder of the year and prepare for the new session in 2025.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
The Board of Pharmacy posted the August 14 full Board and Disciplinary Subcommittee meeting agendas.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Department of Human Services announced that the new pharmacy adjudication system implementation date has been delayed until November 4, 2024.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Effective August 1, 2024, MO HealthNet (Medicaid) no longer covers DisposeRx packets.
Also in Missouri, if a pharmacy does not have a drug take-back receptacle, the Board of Pharmacy provides one for free through its Rx Cares for Missouri Medication Destruction and Disposal Program.
Finally in Missouri, the Board of Pharmacy adopted rules expanding pharmacy technician duties published in the August 1, 2024 Missouri Register (20 CSR 2220-2.715).
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy posted a hearing notice for the September 5 Public Hearing in Las Vegas on proposed new onerous counseling documentation requirements.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
NYRx, the New York State Medicaid Pharmacy Program, provided an update to its prior authorization program, effective August 1, 2024.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Gov. Roy Cooper (D) declared a State of Emergency effective August 5, 2024, and it will remain in effect for 30 days. The Order activates the State Emergency Operations Plan and allows for the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety to take the appropriate action to ensure the expeditious movement of utility vehicles to eliminate power outages, vehicles carrying essential supplies such as food, medicine and fuel or transporting livestock, poultry and crops. This order also triggers the Price Gouging Law.
Also in North Carolina, effective August 1, 2024, Medicaid beneficiaries may obtain the over the counter (OTC) oral contraceptive Opill without a prescription and at no cost. While Medicaid encourages establishing care with a medical home, coverage without a prescription allows Medicaid beneficiaries easy access to the product and reduces barriers such as having to make an appointment to get a prescription, needing transportation to the appointment or even a lack of health care providers in the community. Medicaid beneficiaries will be able to get Opill from pharmacies enrolled in Medicaid who will be able to submit the claim for reimbursement. A $5.00 fee will be included in the reimbursement amount paid to the pharmacy. A dispensing fee will not be paid. Beneficiaries are allowed to obtain up to a 3-month supply of Opill with each request, without a prescription, with a maximum of 13 packs per year. Opill is a progestin only contraceptive. Pharmacists should counsel beneficiaries that Opill is most effective when taken once a day at the same time each day.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
