SB 2031, designing and implementing a prescription drug reference rate pilot program to study the possibility of controlling excessive prices for prescription drugs, failed in the Senate (14-33).
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
ODM (Ohio Department of Medicaid) Director Maureen Corcoran announced a proposed 5.7% increase in the Professional Dispensing Fee (PDF) for the SPBM (Single PBM) pharmacy program as part of the biennial state budget. The percentage as proposed would be applied to all three PDF tiers. NACDS has been advocating for an increase since the September announcement of the PDFs for the SPBM The budget also includes an opportunity for pharmacies to enhance PDFs through a outcomes-based incentive payment. No further details are available upon this writing, but NACDS expects to have them soon.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Oregon Board of Pharmacy adopted the following Temporary Rule, effective February 10.
The Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for each product has been updated. The updated EUA for Paxlovid now differs from the approved statewide drug therapy management protocol which necessitates the protocol’s suspension. REGEN-COV is not authorized for use in any US region which also necessitates this protocol’s suspension.
Temporarily suspends the statewide drug therapy management protocols for COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody and COVID-19 Antiviral due to:
The FDA has stated that EUAs preempt any differing requirements under states’ laws. As a result, the Oregon Board of Pharmacy will not take disciplinary action against persons who act in accordance an EUA, as a result of the FDA’s position that state law is preempted. If a complaint is received relating to activities covered under an EUA, the Board will expect the licensee to provide documentation of full compliance with the EUA. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.
Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy permanently adopted the following rules at the February 2023 Board Meeting:
Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy is seeking subject matter experts (SMEs), including pharmacists, to serve on the Public Health & Pharmacy Formulary Advisory Committee (PHPFAC). The board utilizes SMEs to develop and revised protocols in the Protocol Compendium. If you would like to serve as a SME for the PHPFAC please complete the online form by March 1. Individuals selected will receive confirmation by March 15. Email SME related inquiries to pharmacy.formulary@bop.oregon.gov.
Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for the Compounding Workgroup meeting on February 21.
Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for the Interns Workgroup meeting on February 22.
Finally in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will resume health coverage renewals on April 1 for Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members. OHA is required to review eligibility for all 1.47 million OHP members by June 2024. Anyone who no longer qualifies for OHP coverage still have affordable health coverage options. The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace (OHIM) will send information to people who are no longer eligible for OHP benefits and advise of potential coverage options and financial help through the Marketplace. The Marketplace Transition Help Center will help people understand their options, how to transition to the Marketplace, and to find help from local health coverage experts.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
HB 1135, legislation related to PBMs and transparency in the pricing of prescription drugs, passed the House (62-5) on February 13. It was referred to the Senate and Health and Human Services Committee.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
TPA [Tennessee Pharmacists Association] will offer Mental Health First Aid training to 25 attendees at the TPA Winter Meeting, held in Nashville on February 26–27. Space is limited. Register Today!
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Register TODAY to participate at the 2023 Texas Pharmacy Day at the Capitol on February 28.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
On March 1, the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) will begin to review all Medicaid cases over the next 12-month unwinding period of continuous eligibility/coverage.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
HB 2274, a bill that would allow pharmacists to test and treat for flu, COVID, strep and UTIs (urinary tract infections) under a statewide Board of Pharmacy protocol, is on Governor’s desk for signing. Its companion, SB 948, was conformed to the house bill and is now on the House Floor after passing the Senate unanimously. NACDS continues to collaborate with members and in-state partners to get these bills across the finish line. They are the final piece in updating Virginia’s law to match the PREP Act. NACDS is also advocating for SB 1538, which would strengthen the Medicaid reimbursement provisions for pharmacy-based services. This bill passed the Senate and will now be heard in the House.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
NACDS continues to work on priority issues. HB 2754, that would make the pharmacy immunization allowances from the federal PREP Act permanent in state law, passed the House and is now in the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee. HB 2723, now included in a Senate Rules package, SB 361, authorizes the Board of Pharmacy to promulgate a rule increasing the pharmacy technician ratio from 1:4 to 1:6. The same bill also includes a final rule modernizing collaborative practice agreements to allow for population–based care. Notably, the collaborative practice rule is currently effective as an emergency rule. NACDS is also tracking a bill that would provide legislative approval of the PBM rule pursuant to the passage of HB 2263 of 2021. That language is now engrossed in Committee Substitute SB 345 which has passed the Senate and been sent to the House Judiciary Committee.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.