On October 17, A4953 was introduced and on October 24, the Assembly Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance held a discussion only hearing. The bill titled “Patient and Provider Protection Act” attempts to regulate PBMs by implementing a fiduciary duty and a rate floor. There are some concerns with the legislation that include cost of dispensing and definition of independent pharmacies.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
NYRx released an updated Pharmacy Vaccine Billing Guidance, with new fees effective October 24.
Also in New York, on October 16, the State Department of Health hosted its monthly NYRx Pharmacy call. The agenda items included:
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The following Board of Pharmacy rules have been posted for public comment by the Commonsense Initiative:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court asked the Solicitor General to weigh in on whether a 2019 Oklahoma law establishing minimum, uniform pharmacy network access for patients and prohibiting pharmacy benefit managers from steering patients to obtain their prescription drugs from affiliated pharmacies is preempted by federal ERISA law or should be allowed to stand. The decision to seek the Solicitor General’s opinion follows multiple attempts to get SCOTUS to step in after the Tenth Circuit appeals court last year overturned a lower Oklahoma court ruling in Pharmaceutical Care Management Association v. Mulready.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Senate has unanimously approved Gov. Josh Shapiro’s (D) executive nomination to add James “Jim” Reed to the State Board of Pharmacy. Jim is the Pharmacy Regional Manager for Weis Markets and previously served in several pharmacy leadership roles for Walgreens.
Also in Pennsylvania, Medical Assistance has updated the domain name of the Provider Enrollment application web page.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Department of Health’s Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Program (VPDIP) released “Recommendations for Vaccination After a Flood” addressing recommended vaccinations following flooding events. It includes updated vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, flu and COVID-19 as well as vaccines for cholera and typhoid.
Also in Tennessee, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee released its proposed 2025 essential and preferred formulary changes. Removals include Victoza, Humira, brand name Vyvanse and many more. The formulary changes also include new additions, tier modifications, quantity limit additions/removals and new prior authorizations.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Drug Utilization Board discussed these agenda items on October 25.
Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) published the 2024-25 monthly prophylaxis for RSV on October 1. Review the schedule for each region’s start and end dates.
Finally in Texas, the Medicaid Vendor Drug Program (VDP) posted the October specialty drug list.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
During the Board of Pharmacy’s September monthly meeting, the Board discussed the strategic plan to address the findings of the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts (Public Examiners). The plan will be available on the Board’s website.
Also in Alabama, Medicaid issued an ALERT regarding RSV Prevention Criteria for the 2024-2025 season, including the following information.
Finally in Alabama, Medicaid issued an ALERT on October 1 as a follow-up to the ALERT dated August 1, regarding the new Disclosure Form that is posted on the Alabama Medicaid Agency (Medicaid) website. Effective October 1 and after Medicaid will enforce the new Disclosure Form.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Board of Pharmacy met on October 10.
Also in Alaska, the Pharmacy Board revised statutes and regulations are now available on the website. Effective September 28, there are significant changes affecting collaborative practice authorities, nationally certified pharmacy technician practices, sterile pharmaceutical guidelines, manufacturer license requirements, prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) registration, alternative to probation program and “owner” / “change of ownership” definitions.
Finally in Alaska, the Board issued new rules on expanded pharmacy technician duties (2 AAC 52.235. PHARMACY TECHNICIAN WITH NATIONAL CERTIFICATION).
(a) A pharmacy technician who holds a national certification may, at the direction of the pharmacist on duty and under the direct supervision of that pharmacist,
(1) perform a final check of and distribute a non-controlled substance prescription if
(C) the pharmacy uses software that displays the image or graphical description of the correct drug being verified; however, if there is any deviation between the image or graphical description and the actual product being distributed, a pharmacist must review and dispense the order; and (Previous Version)
(C) the pharmacy uses software that displays the image or graphical description of the correct drug being verified, or the institutional facility uses software that performs and verifies a barcode scan before administration [; HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ANY DEVIATION BETWEEN THE IMAGE OR GRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION AND THE ACTUAL PRODUCT BEING DISTRIBUTED, A PHARMACIST MUST REVIEW AND DISPENSE THE ORDER]; and (New Version, Bold and Underlined is added and Bracketed is removed)
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.