North Dakota

The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Unit and the North Dakota State University Department of Public Health are excited to announce an opportunity for approximately 15-18 North Dakota pharmacists to complete the Antimicrobial Stewardship Certification Program through the Society of Infectious Disease Pharmacists. Please see the document linked here for more information regarding the certification program curriculum and how to apply. Interested pharmacists must complete the application (PDF Form or Word document) and return it to Emily Perry by 5:00 p.m. on June 30. If you have any questions, please contact Emily Perry, Antimicrobial Stewardship Lead at NDSU’s Center for Collaboration and Advancement of Pharmacy, at 701-552-2784 or by emailing Emily.Perry@ndsu.edu  

Also in North Dakota, Gov. Doug Burgum (R) signed SB 2041, legislation that caps cost-sharing for insulin and medical supplies for insulin dosing and administration for enrollees in the public employee retirement system. It does not limit out-of-pocket costs on an insulin pump, an electronic insulin-administering smart pen or a continuous glucose monitor. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2023-05-05T10:00:54-04:00May 5, 2023|North Dakota|

Ohio

The Board of Pharmacy is accepting comments for various rule sets up for the five-year rule review process. Comments are due to the Board on May 31 and should be posted here. 

Also in Ohio, the state’s SBPM, Gainwell, announced the launch of their call center’s virtual agent, GABBYTM. GABBYTM is an interactive voice response system that offers several self-service functions, including checking claim statuses, member eligibility and prior authorizations. You can watch GABBYTM in action using this link. 

Finally in Ohio, Gainwell will begin phase 5 of the re-implementation of Prior Authorization (PA) on May 9, 2023, on specific drug classes. Of note, the PA reimplementation only applies to new, initial authorizations, and it does not apply to those patients who have previously taken the drug supported by recent claims history prior to May 9. Phase 5 includes the following drug classes: 

  • Analgesic Agents: NSAIDS  
  • CNS Agents: Anti-Migraine Agents (Acute, Cluster Headache, Prophylaxis), Anticonvulsants, Antidepressants, ADHD Agents, Atypical Antipsychotics, Parkinson’s Agents, Restless Legs Syndrome, Sedative-Hypnotics (Non-Barbiturates) 
  • Compounding Agents (Bulk Chemicals/Powders, Vehicles, Bases)  
  • Gastrointestinal Agents: Anti-Emetics, Crohn’s Disease, Hepatic Encephalopathy, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) with Diarrhea, Ulcerative Colitis, Unspecified GI  
  • Infectious Disease Agents: Antibiotics – Cephalosporins, Macrolides, Quinolones, Tetracyclines 
  • Infectious Disease Agents: Antifungals 
  • Infectious Disease Agents: Antivirals – Herpes, HIV 

Please reference the Unified Preferred Drug List (UPDL) posted on the SPBM portal to see products that require a PA. PAs may be submitted via phone, fax, mail and the SPBM portal. Additional PAs are planned for reimplementation in a similar, incremental fashion during the second quarter of 2023. Please direct questions to the Gainwell Help Desk at 1-833-491-0344. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

2023-05-05T10:00:08-04:00May 5, 2023|Ohio|

Oregon

The Oregon Health Authority issued a meeting notice for the Immunization Policy Advisory Team on June 1 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. The meeting will be conducted via Zoom and requires registration in advance using this link. Registrants will receive a confirmation email with additional information to join the meeting. The draft agenda appears below and the final agenda will be available by sending an email request to imm.info@oha.oregon.gov three days before the meeting date. It will also be available during the Zoom meeting. See additional details in the notice below.  

Agenda: Draft items include: 

  • Public comment  
  • Athletes and COVID-19 vaccine 
  • Immunization uptake 
  • Data analysis – small numbers policy 
  • 2022 population-based rates for 2-year-olds 
  • 2023 school immunization update 
  • COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutics commercialization
  • COVID-19 vaccine updates 

Also in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority published a Notice of Proposed Rule Making amending Prior Authorization Approval Criteria Guide & Preferred Drug List DUR/P&T Actions. Written comments may be sent to hsd.rule@odhsoha.state.or.us no later than 5:00 p.m. on June 21.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2023-05-05T09:58:49-04:00May 5, 2023|Oregon|

Texas

HB 1105 by Rep. Four Price (R), legislation that lowers the age to three years and up for pharmacists, pharmacist interns and certified pharmacy technicians to administer all vaccines and immunizations without a patient specific prescription or medical order, was approved on the full House second reading on May 4th by a vote of 113 to 28. The bill is up for third reading on April 5th. 

Also in Texas, HB 4990, Rep. Greg Bonnen’s (R) Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative, establishing a state PBM aimed at lowering costs and providing access to prescription drugs and other medical supplies for state employees, dependents and retirees of public higher education systems and institutions, Employees Retirement System members, Teacher Retirement System members, persons confined by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, recipients of Medicaid, and enrollees of the Children’s Health Insurance Program. It was amended in the House and passed on May 2 by a vote of 128-12-1. The companion bill filed by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R) was heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee that she chairs on April 19 and was left pending. 

Finally in Texas, HB 1283, legislation NACDS supports that would maintain the single formulary and preferred drug list for Medicaid, passed the House on May 3rd by a vote of 146-0. 

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

2023-05-05T09:57:36-04:00May 5, 2023|Texas|

Washington

The legislature adjourned on April 23 after failing to approve a controversial bill setting drug possession penalties. This week, Gov. Jay Inslee (D) announced that he will be calling a special session on May 16 to pass legislation on drug possession and reform.

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

2023-05-05T09:56:51-04:00May 5, 2023|Washington|

Arizona

On April 18, Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) signed SB (Senate Bill) 1382 (Chapter 74), legislation requiring PBMs to obtain a certificate of authority to operate and outlining the role, responsibilities and authority of the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions. 

Also in Arizona, the Board of Pharmacy scheduled Oral Proceeding/Public Comment RE: Prescribing a Self-Administered Hormonal Contraceptive on May 16 from 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. 

Finally in Arizona, the Board of Pharmacy Oral Proceeding/Public Comment RE: Technician Immunization Authority on May 22 at 9:00 a.m. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2023-04-28T12:12:17-04:00April 28, 2023|Arizona|

California

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) posted the following alerts, weekly notices, and monthly bulletin on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:  

Also in California, Medi-Cal posted the following:    

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda and meeting materials for the Standard of Care Ad Hoc Committee meeting on May 3. 

Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy is accepting written comments on the following: 

  • Title 16 CCR § 1715.1 – Self-Assessment of an Automated Drug Delivery System 
  • Title 16 CCR § 1706.6 – Temporary Licenses for Military Spouses/Domestic Partners 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2023-04-28T12:11:45-04:00April 28, 2023|California|

Colorado

Legislation NACDS supports that would establish a registration process for PBMs and give the Insurance Commissioner authority to deny or revoke registration if the PBM violates laws or does not follow the prescribed process. Additionally, the bill would add maximum allowable cost (MAC) pricing protections, including specific provisions related to the appeals process. The bill passed the House and is pending in the Senate. (CO23-HB1227) 

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

2023-04-28T12:10:50-04:00April 28, 2023|Colorado|

Idaho

On March 31, Gov. Brad Little (R) signed HB 215 (Session Law Chapter 232, effective July 1, 2023), legislation adding enforcement language to Title 41-349 related maximum allowable cost (MAC). The new law permits the director [Department of Insurance] to act, issue penalties and make remedies for PBMs who violate the law in accordance with authorities in the Idaho Code.  

Also in Idaho, on March 31, Gov. Brad Little (R) signed HB 291 (Session Law Chapter 233, effective July 1, 2023), legislation establishing the Fair Pharmacy Audits Act and creating standards and criteria for the audit of pharmacies by PBMs or other authorized entities.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2023-04-28T12:09:49-04:00April 28, 2023|Idaho|

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