Nebraska
The Department of Health and Human Services posted the Excel file of the fee schedule for Injectables July 1, 2024.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Nevada
The Board of Pharmacy’s board book was posted in advance of the two-day July meeting in Las Vegas.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New Hampshire
On July 18, 2024, the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules is expected to make permanent Pharmacy Code of Conduct regulations that were previously proposed by the Board of Pharmacy. The regulations include a list of eleven ethical standards for pharmacists.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
New Mexico
The Pharmacists Association (NMPhA) announced its new Executive Director, Alexandra (Lex) Garcia. Lex replaces Dale Tinker, who has been at the helm of the association for 35 years.
Also in New Mexico, despite pushback from Democratic leadership, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) called the legislature into a 30-day (or less) special session beginning on July 18.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New York
On July 17, 2024, NYRx, the State Medicaid Prescription Drug Program, hosted its monthly pharmacy call. The agenda included:
- Pharmacy Reimbursement & Dispensing Fee Calculations
- Pharmacy Enrollment: Pharmacies Pending Medicare Part B Revalidation
- Vaccine Billing
The next call will be August 21, 2024.
Also in New York, the Office of Health Insurance Programs of the State Department of Health has approved the release of the June 2024 Medicaid Update. It included the following:
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
North Carolina
The Controlled Substance Reporting Act requires that gabapentin dispensing be reported by pharmacies. Gabapentin is not a controlled substance (under federal or North Carolina law), but its dispensing must nonetheless be reported to the Controlled Substances
Reporting System (CSRS). The Drug Control Unit of the Department of Health and Human Services administers the CSRS and has provided questions and answers concerning gabapentin reporting. That guidance is found in the “What information must be reported to the CSRS?” frequently asked questions.
Also in North Carolina, the next Board of Pharmacy election is scheduled to begin November 1, 2024. Two positions on the Board will be filled, the Northeastern District seat presently held by Wallace Nelson and the Central District seat presently held by Ashley Duggins. Board staff will hold Q & A sessions for anyone considering running for one of these positions or for anyone wanting more information about Board service. The first session will be on July 31, 2024, at 7:00 pm, Hampton Inn in Rocky Mount. The second info session will be on August 28, 2024, at 7:00 pm, Hampton Inn in Concord. Complete details will be posted and sent out by the Board next week.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Ohio
The Board of Pharmacy has published a final rule amending language prohibiting retaliation in response to requests for additional staff and reports of staffing concerns. The Rule will be effective July 25, 2024.
Also in Ohio, Medicaid and Myers and Stauffer hosted a webinar to brief pharmacy associations about the mandatory upcoming biennial Cost of Dispensing Study. Please review the slide deck and the DRAFT Cost of Dispensing study for more details. Survey forms will be sent to all pharmacies July 25 via both snail mail and email and are due back August 29. Please see pages 9-11 of the slide deck for specific information options for chain pharmacies to submit batch data for all stores.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Oregon
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted the agenda and meeting materials for its next meeting on July 24. Please register in advance of the meeting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Pennsylvania
After several weeks of intense negotiations and multiple meetings among the General Assembly and stakeholders, HB 1993 (Rep. Jessica Benham-D) passed and was signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) as Act 77 of 2024. The bill includes significant commercial PBM reform provisions and an expansion of pharmacist immunization authority to include ACIP vaccines for children aged eight years and older and pharmacy technician immunization authority for COVID and Flu for ages 13 years and older. Many thanks to the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drugs Stores, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association and Value Drug Co. and all who put many hours of work into getting it across the finish line.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.