Colorado
NACDS and the Colorado Retail Council submitted a joint comment letter to the Department of Regulatory Agencies identifying multiple opportunities to modernize and reform the current practice of pharmacy to secure more value, drive innovation, and provide cost-effective healthcare services to improve the health and well-being of Colorado residents.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
District of Columbia
The District of Columbia’s Medicaid Program has announced that, as a result of CMS approving their state plan amendment, it will begin paying pharmacists for immunization administration beginning May of 2020.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Illinois
Consistent with NACDS advocacy efforts, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation issued a proclamation that an Illinois licensed pharmacist's scope of practice under the Pharmacy Practice Act is expanded to screen patients, order, administer, read, and report the findings of tests waived under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) for COVID-19 during the course of the pandemic.
Also in Illinois... Governors from Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin have formed a pact for coordinating the reopening of the Midwest regional economy.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Indiana
Governors from Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin have formed a pact for coordinating the reopening of the Midwest regional economy.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Kentucky
Governors from Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin have formed a pact for coordinating the reopening of the Midwest regional economy.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Louisiana
The Board of Pharmacy submitted its initial reports to the Joint Oversight Committee on Health and Welfare on four regulatory projects – Prescription Monitoring Program Project 2020-1, Automated Medication Systems Project 2020-2, Pharmacist Licensing Display Project 2020-3, and Marijuana Pharmacy Project 2020-5. For more information on the status of all of the Board's regulatory projects, go to http://www.pharmacy.la.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=81
Also in Louisiana... The Board of Pharmacy announced changes to a proposed rule that would amend regulations under LAC 46:LIII, Chapters 15, 25, and 27, to allow pharmacies to accept returns of previously dispensed drugs for disposal. The rule also would specify requirements for disposal of controlled substances and hazardous drugs. The changes remove the requirement for pharmacies to accept returns of controlled substances for disposal and instead would allow pharmacies to accept such drugs for disposal and require pharmacies to advise patients or their designees of drug disposal options. A second public hearing is scheduled for April 27, 2020.
Also in Louisiana... Effective March 20th, the Department of Health began reimbursing for vaccines administered to adults by qualified pharmacists, an administration fee of $15.22 which includes counseling when performed. Vaccine reimbursement for recipients aged 19 and over shall be reimbursed at wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) or billed charges, whichever is the lesser amount. http://bnaregs.bna.com/?id=la_15788
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Michigan
Governors from Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin have formed a pact for coordinating the reopening of the Midwest regional economy.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Minnesota
In its latest update to its Frequently Asked Questions, the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy addresses the extent to which pharmacists can be involved in COVID-19 testing at this time. NACDS encourages members to check the FAQ document regularly for updates.
Also in Minnesota... Governors from Minnesota, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin have formed a pact for coordinating the reopening of the Midwest regional economy.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Nevada
Nellis Air Force Base Pharmacy (NAFBP) notified the state Board of Pharmacy that all people not located on the base, mostly veterans and their family members, temporarily will not be able to pick up prescriptions at the Base. Since Nevada law requires that these prescriptions be transferred and filled, approximately 16,000 refills per month, must be transferred to Nevada retail pharmacies. NACDS members are working with NAFBP staff to facilitate these transfers. To assist with the transfers and refills, please refer to NAC 639.713 – 639.7145 (and 21 CFR § 1306.25 where applicable) and NRS 639.2394.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New Mexico
The Medical Board issued a Final rule effective March 24th amending and adopting regulations under 16.10.9 through 16.10.22 NMAC (nonconsecutive) to add licensure fees for out-of-state sports team physicians and naturopathic doctors. The rule also adds licensure reinstatement fees for anesthesiologist assistants and polysomnographic technologists, updates fees for physician assistants and genetic counselors, and increases fees for license verification to $37. In addition, the rule requires health care providers who prescribe opioid analgesics for the first time to advise the patient of the risks of overdose and co-prescribe an opioid antagonist for opioid prescriptions written for at least a five-day supply. Finally, the rule adds practice requirements for naturopathic doctors.
Also in New Mexico... The Office of the Superintendent of Insurance announce a Proposed rule amending regulations under 13.10.13 NMAC to change "copayments" to "cost-sharing" and prohibit cost-sharing for testing and health care services for the new coronavirus, pneumonia, influenza, or other diseases or conditions that are the cause or subject of a public health emergency. The rule currently is in effect as an emergency rule. A hearing is scheduled for April 23rd, and comments will be accepted through 4:00 PM MDT on April 23, 2020. Comments should be sent to Melissa Martinez; Office of Superintendent Insurance; 505-476-0333; melissa.martinez2@state.nm.us.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Ohio
Governors from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have formed a pact for coordinating the reopening of the Midwest regional economy.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
South Dakota
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R ) issued an Executive Order with a number of temporary pharmacy related provisions to facilitate engagement on COVID-19, including licensing, out of state pharmacies, waiving the pharmacist-to-technician ratio, pharmacy transfers, therapeutic substitution, and more.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Texas
On April 12th, a day before the emergency orders would have expired, Gov. Greg Abbott indefinitely extended the disaster declaration for all Texas counties in response to COVID-19.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Wisconsin
The Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin reported the Pharmacy Examining Board has issued a variance to temporarily relax counseling and delivery requirements for pharmacies.
Also in Wisconsin... Governors from Wisconsin, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio have formed a pact for coordinating the reopening of the Midwest regional economy.
Also in Wisconsin… Gov. Evers (D) signed into law AB 1038, addressing prescription extensions, drug limits, and coverage of vaccinations in the SeniorCare program.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
California
This week, California joined with Oregon and Washington in a Western States Pact to coordinate the regional reopening of the economy as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Connecticut
This week, Connecticut joined with Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island in a regional pact to coordinate the regional reopening of the economy as the COVID-19 pandemic reaches its apex in the region. The Pact shall include state officials, economic experts and public health officials. No timeline or details are available, but the vision is a gradual return to work in the region.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Delaware
This week, Delaware joined Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island in a regional pact to coordinate the regional reopening of the economy as the COVID-19 pandemic reaches its apex in the region. The Pact shall include state officials, economic experts and public health officials. No timeline or details are available, but the vision is a gradual return to work in the region.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Massachusetts
This week, Massachusetts joined Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island in a regional pact to coordinate the regional reopening of the economy as the COVID-19 pandemic reaches its apex in the region. The Pact shall include state officials, economic experts and public health officials. No timeline or details are available, but the vision is a gradual return to work in the region.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Missouri
The Board of Pharmacy issued a statement about pharmacist testing of COVID-19 in wake of the federal statement from the Department of Health and Human Services, and updated its list of rules and statutory waivers. New additions include pharmacist authority to substitute albuterol inhalers and the emergency dispensing waiver moved from 30 days to 60 days.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Nebraska
The Nebraska Pharmacists Association (NPA) announced that Marcia Mueting, RP, will succeed Joni Cover as Chief Executive Officer. NACDS salutes Joni Cover for her seventeen years of service at NPA and congratulates Marcia Mueting on her appointment. The complete transition is expected by around June 1, 2020.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
New Jersey
This week, New Jersey joined Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island in a regional pact to coordinate the regional reopening of the economy as the COVID-19 pandemic reaches its apex in the region. The Pact shall include state officials, economic experts and public health officials. No timeline or details are available, but the vision is a gradual return to work in the region.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
New York
This week, New York joined Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island in a regional pact to coordinate the regional reopening of the economy as the COVID–19 pandemic reaches its apex in the region. The Pact shall include state officials, economic experts and public health officials. No timeline or details are available, but the vision is a gradual return to work in the region.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
North Dakota
North Dakota Medicaid updated its Frequently Asked Questions document, with one addition addressing overrides of early fill rejections.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Oregon
This week, Oregon joined California and Washington in a Western States Pact to coordinate the regional reopening of the economy as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Pennsylvania
The Department of State (DOS) published additional guidance last week related to COVID-19 pharmacy issues. The guidance clarifies that the Commonwealth does not require signatures to confirm delivery and waives provisions around emergency refills to allow 90–day refills for certain medication and 30–day refills for others. In addition to other pharmacy related matters, the guidance also notably states that pharmacists are permitted to perform end-to-end COVID-19 testing and provides instructions to pharmacies to register with the Department of Health (DOH) to do so. NACDS is expecting the DOS to issue further clarifications or waivers around this policy, due to the barriers that currently exist with DOH qualifications.
Also in Pennsylvania... This week, Pennsylvania joined Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island in a regional pact to coordinate the regional reopening of the economy as the COVID-19 pandemic reaches its apex in the region. The Pact shall include state officials, economic experts and public health officials. No timeline or details are available, but the vision is a gradual return to work in the region.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.