On March 21, NACDS joined the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York (PSSNY) in a rally in support of the Medicaid transition to fee-for-service. Beginning April 1, all Medicaid members enrolled in Mainstream Managed Care will receive their prescription drugs through NYRx, the Medicaid Pharmacy Program.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
SB 1085, legislation permitting pharmacists to test and treat for certain health conditions, requiring payment for pharmacist services and allowing pharmacists to delegate to a pharmacy technician or intern to perform testing under the pharmacist’s supervision, is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Committee on Health Care on March 29. The health conditions include influenza; lice; COVID-19 or other respiratory conditions, diseases, or illnesses; skin conditions, such as athlete’s foot or ringworm; streptococcus; urinary tract infection; other health conditions identified by the Oregon Health Authority as a public health emergency or other health conditions as identified by the Board of pharmacy by rule for which a patient may be tested.
Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy is seeking subject matter experts to serve on a workgroup concerning Collaborative Drug Therapy Management (CDTMs) and Clinical Pharmacy Agreement (CPAs). The purpose of this workgroup is to gather information related to CDTMs and CPAs and provide input for rules to ensure patient health, safety and welfare. It is anticipated that the workgroup will provide input on development of updated rules and provide the Board with recommendations, insights, and input on proposed rules. See additional information below. If you would like to serve on the CDTM/CPA workgroup, please complete the online form by Friday April 7, 2023. Those that are selected will receive confirmation by Friday April 14, 2023.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
On March 23, Gov. Kristi Noem (R) signed HB 1135, PBM legislation including requirements for PBM licensure, prohibiting retroactive fees except in certain situations and the collection of renumeration fees and adding criteria for drugs to be placed on the MAC list.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
TennCare has contracted with Mercer Government Human Services Consulting to conduct a professional cost of dispensing survey and a survey of acquisition cost data. Both surveys will begin on April 3 and must be submitted to Mercer no later than May 12. All network pharmacies will be required to complete the professional cost of dispensing survey; however, only select pharmacies will also be required to complete the biannual AAAC (Average Actual Acquisition Cost) survey. Please direct questions regarding the survey to Lora.Underwood@tn.gov or mercerrxpassage@mercer.com.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
To show legislators that this year pharmacies are a united front on PBM issues, NACDS submitted a support letter to the Texas House Insurance Committee on PBM ERISA reform legislation being led by the Texas Pharmacy Association and the Texas Pharmacy Business Council, HB 2021. A hearing was held on March 21.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
HB 1007, legislation establishing a statewide protocol that would allow pharmacists to diagnose and assess conditions for HIV and to dispense PrEP and PEP, passed the House by a vote of 95 to 0, and was heard in the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee this week.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
HB 2263, the pharmacy technician vaccine administration bill, continues to advance. It was heard in the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee on March 15th.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
SB 37 was amended in the Senate reforms the Board of Pharmacy Advisory Council to add seats for mail order, specialty, hospital, veterinary, and independent pharmacists. Subsequently, the bill was reported by the House Health Services Committee and is expected to pass the House as currently drafted. The bill began as a piece of legislation that would have re-vamped the Board of Pharmacy composition with dedicated seats for different practice settings, including PBMs and mail order. However, an agreement was reached with the sponsor to instead change the composition of the Advisory Council. The General Assembly is set to adjourn at the end of this week.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Prefiling bills has begun in advance of the fiscal session that convenes on April 10th.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.