Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) sent a letter to Paul Pate, Secretary of State of Iowa, directing the Department of Human Services to amend current Medicaid managed care contracts to authorize a $10.38 dispensing fee per prescription across-the-board for all pharmacies under Section 31 of HF 891. This action is in response to a meeting and letter NACDS sent to the Governor requesting a veto of language in HF 891 directing the department to amend Medicaid managed care organization contracts to authorize the establishment of a managed care pharmacy dispensing fee that is based on the current fee-for-service dispensing fee of $10.38 or a dispensing fee that is not to exceed the current fee-for-service rate and determined contractually by mutual agreement between the managed care organization and a participating pharmacy with more than 30 locations in the state and headquarters outside the state. The Governor agreed with industry stakeholders that this policy creating differential dispensing fees for certain pharmacies raises significant constitutional concerns. NACDS acknowledges the collaborative efforts of the Iowa Retail Federation and the Iowa Pharmacy Association staff.
Also in Iowa, below are highlights from the June issue of the Iowa Board of Pharmacy newsletter. See the newsletter for additional details and more information.
- The law authorizing pharmacists to administer vaccinations via a practitioner-signed protocol will expire on June 30, 2021. Beginning July 1, 2021, pharmacists may order and administer vaccinations under the Iowa Board of Pharmacy’s statewide protocol or according to a patient-specific prescription issued by a practitioner.
- 2021 Regular Session of the Iowa Legislature
- The Board’s bill amending the Iowa Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to include nine substances that had been temporarily scheduled via rulemaking and provide conforming text to match federal CSA structure was signed into law.
- The Board’s bill (HF 514) eliminating the one-year limitation of a technician trainee registration, revising delegation of functions to pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support personnel, and including other provisions relating to pharmacy practice was also signed into law.
- REMINDER: As of May 12, 2021, Schedule V controlled prescriptions must be reported to the Iowa Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP). Also, newly adopted rulemaking includes nonprescription sales of codeine-containing cough suppressants as reportable transactions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.