NACDS and the Chain Pharmacy Association of New York State met with the New York State (NYS) Bureau of Immunizations to discuss pharmacy participation in the federally-funded Vaccines for Children program. Also, the state is developing a Memorandum of Understand (MOU) for chain pharmacies so that the state has a method of communicating with pharmacies in the case of a pandemic. Once that MOU is complete, NACDS will distribute it to members operating in the state.

Also in New York…NACDS and the Chain Pharmacy Association of New York State met with the NYS Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE) to discuss the opioid tax assessment program and the drug disposal program. The opioid tax assessment program enacted earlier this year will result in additional revenue to the state totaling $100 million annually. The invoices to the impacted drug manufacturers and wholesale distributors have been sent. In addition, the newly enacted statewide drug disposal legislation has a series of 2019 target dates. We have asked BNE to hold a stakeholder meeting to ensure that all interested parties continue to participate in the development of the program.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.