South Carolina

Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed HB 3988, legislation that authorizes pharmacists to administer non-flu vaccines to persons 16 years of age and older, to order and administer flu and COVID tests and to delegate both vaccine administration and the administration of tests to pharmacy technicians working under their supervision. The act took effect upon signature of the Governor.

Also in South Carolina, on July 1, 2024, the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) became two separate agencies, the Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) and the Department of Public Health (DPH). Additionally, DHEC’s retail food program and milk and dairy lab moved to the Department of Agriculture (SCDA). You can visit the linked agencies for your needs or visit the DHEC homepage to choose the correct agency website.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2024-07-18T12:57:33-04:00July 18, 2024|South Carolina|

Tennessee

CVS Caremark will contact low-volume pharmacies and pharmacy services administrative organizations (PSAOs) this month with information regarding its re-billing and re-processing updates to comply with 2022’s Public Chapter 1070 for claims from January-October 2023. Due to the switch from AWP to NADAC pricing, some pharmacies may need to pay recoupment fees to CVS Caremark. The Tennessee Pharmacy Association has been in contact with CVS Caremark representatives and legislative leadership and is working to communicate with PSAOs about this change and next steps pharmacies can take to prevent financial losses. Pharmacies should submit rate review requests to CVS Caremark before submitting external appeals to the Department of Commerce and Insurance to rectify this situation.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2024-07-18T12:56:58-04:00July 18, 2024|Tennessee|

Virginia

The Board of Pharmacy issued the following communication to licensees:

“In response to House Bill 2147, passed during the 2023 General Assembly Session, the Board of Pharmacy is reminding pharmacy personnel that federal laws require minimum standards in certain situations regarding patient translation services for prescription drugs. Specifically, pharmacy personnel are encouraged to review and consult with their management regarding the pharmacy’s compliance with the following federal laws: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d) regarding discrimination based on race, color, or national origin by any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. § 794) regarding discrimination based on a disability from any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance; and Title III of the American with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 12181 to 12189; 28 C.F.R. Pt. 36) regarding discrimination at a place of public accommodation which includes a pharmacy. Please note the Board is unable to provide legal advice on this matter. However, additional information may be found in the Board of Pharmacy Report Regarding the Provision of Translated Directions for Use of Prescriptions submitted to the Virginia General Assembly on December 7, 2023.Please also be aware that the Board will adopt regulations and guidance by December 31, 2024, for accessible prescription labels to assist the blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled as required by House Bill 516, passed during the 2024 General Assembly Session.”

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

2024-07-18T12:56:15-04:00July 18, 2024|Virginia|

Arkansas

The Insurance Commissioner (“Commissioner”) issued Advisory Bulletin 8-2024 to all Insurance Department (“AID”) licensed pharmacy benefits managers (“PBMs”) related to PBM reimbursements to pharmacies at minimum levels to NADAC pricing amounts under Ark. Code Ann. § 23-92-506(b)(5)(A). The Commissioner had received several complaints from pharmacies against PBMs in which a PBM has reversed a payment to reduce or to remove a dispensing fee in the pharmacy’s compensation to equalize the payment to NADAC minimum pricing. Questions concerning this Bulletin should be directed to Legal Division at 501-371-2820 or by email at Insurance.Legal@arkansas.gov.

Also in Arkansas, Tim Griffith, the Attorney General is suing PBMs for their role as a cause of the opioid epidemic in Arkansas.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

2024-07-11T11:17:45-04:00July 11, 2024|Arkansas|

California

The Department of Health Care Servies posted the following alerts, weekly notice and monthly bulletin on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2024-07-11T11:16:03-04:00July 11, 2024|California|

Hawaii

Gov. Josh Green (D) signed HB 2553 (Act 104), permitting pharmacists to order and administer ACIP-approved vaccines to persons three years of age or older and authorizing pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist to administer vaccines to persons three years of age or older, if properly trained.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2024-07-11T11:15:30-04:00July 11, 2024|Hawaii|

Louisiana

ACT 246 (SB 276) creates the crime of coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud when a person knowingly and intentionally engages in the use of an abortion-inducing drug on a pregnant woman, without her knowledge or consent, with the intent to cause an abortion, effective October 1, 2024.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

2024-07-11T11:14:47-04:00July 11, 2024|Louisiana|

Maine

The Board of Pharmacy has given Notice of Proposed Rule-Making. The Board will be hearing public comments on August 1 at 8:30 am online or in-person. These proposed set of rules are in response to several laws enacted by the 131st Legislature:

  1. setting standards by which a pharmacy technician may qualify to be certified to administer vaccines;
  2. repeals the 12-item limit for drug outlet vending machines;
  3. establish standards for authorizing pharmacists to prescribe, dispense and administer HIV prevention drugs, set adequate training requirements and protocols for when there is no prescription drug order, standing order or collaborative practice agreement; and
  4. implement requirements to increase access to birth control by making certain contraception accessible from a pharmacist.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

2024-07-11T11:14:10-04:00July 11, 2024|Maine|

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