California

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced that on October 1, 2020, Magellan Health, the pharmacy claims administrator for Med-Cal will begin quarterly surveys of approximately 600 pharmacies so that they can establish a Maximum Allowable Ingredient Cost (MAIC) for multisource generic drugs. According to the announcement, pharmacies must submit certain invoice information to CAMAICsurvey@mercer.com. The new MAICs will be published in pharmacy provider bulletins 30 days before the effective date of January 1, 2021. More information can be found here.

Also in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed Jason Weisz of San Diego to a 4-year term as a public member to the 13-person Board of Pharmacy.

Also in California. The Department of Public Health Immunization Branch in partnership with the state Immunization Coalition is conducting a survey of Independent Pharmacies to learn about plans for influenza vaccination services this flu season during the COVID-19 pandemic. NACDS is helping develop a different survey for chain pharmacies that will be distributed soon.

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