Alabama

The Alabama Medicaid Agency will provide a COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) update for Medicaid providers and partners on September 15, 2022. Agency representatives will share how the Agency is preparing for the end of the PHE and the return to normal operations. The meeting is offered for attendees both in-person or virtual (online or by phone).  

Medicaid providers, staff, operating state agencies, professional groups, advocacy groups, and all partners who interact with Medicaid recipients are encouraged to attend.  

Also in Alabama, please find the updated Synagis® Criteria for Summer 2022 (as part of the 2021-2022 Season); and the Use of Synagis® in the 2022–2023 Season here.  

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

2022-08-19T10:46:29-04:00August 19, 2022|Alabama|

Arkansas

Test & Treat Protocols for both strep and flu were finally approved by the Arkansas Medical Board in August. Previously, these rules were approved by the Pharmacy Board in June. Act 503 passed in 2021 authorized Arkansas pharmacists to test, screen, and treat patients for influenza and pharyngitis caused by streptococcus A within the framework of a written statewide protocol. Arkansas pharmacists may develop their own policies and procedures and begin offering the service, and bill for these services utilizing their own NPI number. 

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

2023-10-10T09:01:58-04:00August 19, 2022|Arkansas|

California

Medi-Cal posted the following: 

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. 

 

Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy communicated the following: 

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

2022-08-19T10:45:13-04:00August 19, 2022|California|

Colorado

Gov. Jared Polis’ (D) administration and the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) announced partnerships with key supply chain partners that will help Colorado operationalize the importation of drugs. Colorado’s Canadian Importation Program, once approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), estimated it will save Coloradoans an average of more than 60% on prescription medications.  

Also in Colorado, on August 28 the Division of Profession and Occupations will hold a Joint Stakeholder online seminar with Pharmacy and other Healthcare Boards with prescriptive authority to solicit input from stakeholders on the implementation of House Bill 22-1115, clarifying certain provisions in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. 

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

2022-08-19T10:44:25-04:00August 19, 2022|Colorado|

Indiana

Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) convened an 11-day special session in late July. Both Senate Bill 1, the “abortion ban bill,” and Senate Bill 2, the “tax refund bill” passed and were signed into law. Early in the session the Indiana Pharmacists Association rallied pharmacists to advocate for an amendment allowing pharmacists prescribing self-administered hormonal contraceptives, but the amendment failed by one vote, 48-49.  

Also in Indiana, the Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R) named Sen. Chris Garten (R) as the new Majority Floor Leader, replacing Sen. Mark Messmer (R) who served as the floor leader since 2018. 

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

2022-08-19T10:43:10-04:00August 19, 2022|Indiana|

Iowa

The Board of Pharmacy posted its agenda and meeting materials for the August 24 meeting. Of interest, note the “Review of Proposed Edits to the Board’s Statewide Protocols and Vote on Approval” for Point-of-Care Test and Treat for both Influenza and Strep A. Also, under “Rules and Legislation,” note items #4 related to the PMP and #5 related to registered nurses engaging in the practice of nursing pursuant to a pharmacist’s order.

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

2022-08-19T10:42:11-04:00August 19, 2022|Iowa|

Kentucky

The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) has been authorized in areas of the state impacted by severe storms and flooding. EPAP is a federal program managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, which provides an efficient way for community pharmacies to process claims for prescription medications, vaccines, limited medical supplies and limited durable medical equipment (DME) provided to individuals who are from a disaster area declared by the President and who do not have any form of health insurance coverage. 

Also in Kentucky, The Board of Pharmacy has filed an emergency and ordinary amendment to 201 KAR 2 380, amending the board authorized protocol regulations by removing the specific conditions. Instead, a pharmacist may utilize any protocol approved by the board to provide healthcare services. Additionally, the board approved a new board authorized protocol for Paxlovid. The board list of approved protocols can be found at https://pharmacy.ky.gov/Pages/Board-Approved-Protocols.aspx 

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

2022-08-19T10:41:33-04:00August 19, 2022|Kentucky|

Louisiana

The Department of Insurance (LDI) released a summary report on the process of promulgating Regulation 122, which defines the roles and responsibilities solely within the purview of pharmacy benefit managers and pharmacy services administrative organizations as required by a newly enacted statute, R.S. 22:1660.9(C).

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

2022-08-19T10:40:50-04:00August 19, 2022|Louisiana|

© National Association of Chain Drug Stores
All Rights Reserved | Privacy & Disclaimer

Go to Top