The Board of Pharmacy has posted the agenda for the May 23 Regulation Committee. Note the agenda includes a chart of regulations in progress, including the “working environment” regulations that are currently in the Governor’s office.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
On May 3, Kristin K. Mayes, Attorney General, added her signature to the Board of Pharmacy’s emergency rules allowing a pharmacy technician to administer a vaccine when the technician has completed specified training and the authority to administer the vaccine is delegated by and under the supervision of the pharmacist on duty. The rule will be effective when filed with the Office of the Secretary of State.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) posted the following alerts and weekly notices on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda and meeting materials for the May 17 meeting of the Full Board. Discussion topics include proposed regulations related to automated drug delivery system self-assessment form and the draft legislative report regarding assessment of Standard of Care Enforcement Model in the Practice of Pharmacy.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Prior to the end of the regular session sine die on May 8, the legislature approved several bills pharmacies supported that have been signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis (D).
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
On May 2, Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed HB 416 which allows pharmacy technicians to administer all ACIP vaccinations to persons 18 years of age and older. The bill went into effect upon the Governor’s signature.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2459-MC-FFS RE: Molina Provider Contracting and Training. Molina Healthcare of Iowa will join Amerigroup and Iowa Total Care to provide benefits for IA Health Link and Hawki members on July 1, 2023. HHS will allocate up to one-third of Medicaid members to Molina effective July 1, 2023.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) has published a COVID Vaccine and Testing FAQ to assist pharmacies specific to the Medicaid Unwinding. It clarifies CHFS’ interpretation of pharmacist authority to provide COVID vaccines and testing post-May 11 and the expiration of the PREP Act. https://www.nacds.org/ceo/2023/0512/PHE-Unwinding-COVID-FAQ.pdf
Also in Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) signed HB 349, sponsored by pharmacist Rep. Danny Bentley (R). The law expands expedited partner therapy for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) to include more diseases. The bill also permits the retail sale of HIV self-administered testing kits.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
While HB 471, by Rep. Barbara Freiberg (R) authorizing pharmacists to order and administer, and pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians to administer immunizations to children aged seven years and older was scheduled to be heard in the House Health and Welfare Committee on May 10, the sponsor asked that the bill be deferred until May 17. The additional time gives chain pharmacies an opportunity to take action and contact House Health and Welfare Committee members urging them to support HB 471 to preserve patient access for children and families to receive lifesaving vaccines at pharmacies.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Beginning July 20, 2023, pharmacies will be required to report Naloxone dispensing to the PDMP (Prescription Drug Monitoring Program) because of passage of a 2022 law. Additionally, the PDMP is changing certain ASAP (American Society for Automation in Pharmacy) fields from “optional” to “required.” For more information, see the updated PDMP RxGov Data Submitter Reference Guide with changes dictated by the naloxone statute, changes to required fields and new guidance from ASAP for v4.2A & v4.2B.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.