Texas
Recently appointed Board of Pharmacy public member, Daniel Guerrero of San Marcos, toured an HEB pharmacy where pharmacy staff demonstrated the basics of how a prescription is filled. They also administered a flu shot and discussed the pharmacist’s role in providing immunizations, health care screenings and MTM.
Also in Texas… At the recent hearing of the Joint Interim Committee on Prescribing and Dispensing Controlled Substances, two chain pharmacists testified on behalf of NACDS and the Texas Federation of Drug Stores. Jeremy Ashley with Brookshire Grocery Company urged lawmakers to support mandatory e-prescribing of controlled substances. Tomson George with Walgreens asked that legislators clarify the requirement that pharmacists are not required to check the prescription monitoring program for refill medications specified in HB 2561 signed into law last year.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Kansas
NACDS participated in a meeting of the Board of Pharmacy’s Technician Task Force which is exploring expanding the current pharmacy technician-to-pharmacist ratio from 3:1 up to 6:1, if four of the technicians are certified.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Montana
NACDS presented before the Board of Pharmacy requesting elimination of the current 3:1 pharmacy technician-to-pharmacist ratio and expansion of pharmacy technicians’ duties. The Board agreed to eliminate interns from the current 3:1 ratio. Further consideration of pharmacy technician issues will take place at a future Board meeting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Washington
NACDS attended the last of three workshops, hosted by the State Department of Health, addressing the proposed rules to implement recently enacted drug disposal legislation. NACDS requested clarifying language that would provide a process for pharmacies who are denied participation in the drug disposal program to seek an appeal.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Arkansas
In advance of the September 26 Board of Pharmacy meeting, NACDS submitted comments on proposed changes to Regulation 7 regarding prescription transfers. Our letteradvocated for enhanced technician roles to improve access to patient care services by allowing pharmacy technicians to be involved in the prescription transfer process.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Colorado
In advance of the September 14 Medical Services Board public hearing, NACDS submitted a comment letter supporting the proposed rule adding pharmacists as providers.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Kansas
The Board of Pharmacy has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to expand K-TRACS, the state’s prescription drug monitoring program. The Board of Pharmacy will use the money to develop a public awareness campaign for K-TRACS, to conduct an audit of K-TRACS records and to hire a special investigator who will use K-TRACS data to identify suspicious and harmful prescribing patterns.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Louisiana
Beginning September 14, the Medicaid Fee-for-Service Pharmacy Program began to reimburse enrolled pharmacies for influenza vaccines and administration of the vaccines for Medicaid recipients who are nineteen years of age and older when the administering pharmacist is an enrolled Medicaid provider.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Oklahoma
Earlier this month, the Health Care Authority approved an across-the-board Sooner-Care (Medicaid) provider reimbursement rate increase effective Monday, October 1. The three percent increase, or 32-cent increase in the dispensing fee to $10.87 for pharmacies, is effective Monday, October 1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed into law AB 2789. Effective January 1, 2022, this newly enacted law will require healthcare practitioners authorized to issue prescriptions to have the capability to e-prescribe and would require pharmacies to have the capability to receive these electronic prescriptions. The bill also requires those healthcare practitioners to transmit prescriptions electronically, unless specified exemptions are met. The bill does not require the pharmacy to verify that a written, oral, or faxed prescription satisfies the specified exemptions. Please also see the article in the main body of CEO Issue Update.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Georgia
The Department of Community Health has contracted with Myers & Stauffer LC to conduct a cost of dispensing survey. The survey will be distributed on Thursday, October 11 to all pharmacies participating in the Medicaid fee-for-service program. The survey must be completed by Friday, November 16.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
North Carolina
This week, effective September 19, North Carolina transitioned to the new Controlled Substance Reporting System (CSRS), the state’s electronic prescription drug monitoring program. To assist you with any questions regarding how you interface with this new platform you can call Technical Support at 855-962-4767 (24-hours a day seven-days a week) or email CSRS.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Pennsylvania
The Pharmaceutical Contract for the Elderly (PACE) Program has issued a Provider Bulletin that outlines changes to its policy on coverage of opioids, effective Wednesday, October 10. Please contact Amy Brewer of Magellan Medicaid Administration with any questions.
Virginia
Beginning Wednesday, October 3, pharmacies will have to report any Schedule V drug requiring a prescription and any naloxone dispensed to the Prescription Monitoring Program. The change is the result of a Board of Pharmacy final rule published in the VA Register.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Washington
On September 10, CMS issued a letter to the Health Care Authority stating the agency is “unable to approve Washington SPA 17-0002 as submitted because it does not comply with section 1902(a)(30)(A) of the Social Security Act (the Act), and the applicable federal regulations.”
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Maryland
The Department of Health (MDH) is seeking retail pharmacists to serve on the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board. New members will be appointed in January 2019 and applications are due Friday, September 14. Information concerning duties and powers of the board can be found in the latest issue of the Maryland Register. Interested applicants must submit a formal application through the MDH’s Office of Appointments and Executive Nominations. For further information or questions, contact Kim Bennardi of MDH.
California
The Legislature adjourned on August 31. Numerous bills of interest to chain pharmacy have been sent to Gov. Jerry Brown (D) who has until Sunday, September 30 to sign into law, veto, or allow them to become law without his signature.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Illinois
Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) signed into law the following legislation:
- SB 2952 directing the Department of Human Services to adopt rules permitting pharmacists to authorize designees to consult the Prescription Monitoring Program on their behalf, provided the designee has been trained in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- HB 4707, creating a Prescription Drug Task Force, among whose responsibilities will be to study prescription opioid abuse in the state; study the over-prescribing by physicians of opioids; and recommend any legislation that would have the effect of reducing opioid addiction and abuse. The Task Force will report its findings to the General Assembly by Tuesday, December 31, 2019.
- SB 2524, creating Pharmaceutical Disposal Task Force, a primary duty of which will be to coordinate a statewide public information campaign to highlight the benefits of and opportunities to properly dispose of pharmaceutical products.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Mississippi
The Division of Medicaid has placed new requirements on the MississippiCAN Coordinated Care Organizations that will take effect Monday, October 1. The purpose of these requirements is to enable pharmacy providers to identify and separate PBM lines of business in their front-end claims processing systems.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Pennsylvania
NACDS recently learned that beginning August 7, the Department of Human Services (DHS) began paying pharmacies an increased professional dispensing fee (PDF) of $10.00 for Medicaid fee-for-service pharmacy claims. The increased PDF was approved by CMS in late July. Last summer, DHS filed a SPA for NADAC + $7.00 PDF that NACDS opposed. In addition to filing comments with CMS and DHS expressing concerns with the SPA, NACDS met with Medicaid staff and supported the efforts of in-state partners with legislators to oppose the $7.00 PDF.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Texas
NACDS and five in-state partners submitted a letter to the Health and Human Services Commission’s Vendor Drug Program Medicaid Director encouraging open formulary access to the flu vaccine for patients ages 7 years and older so flu vaccines may be administered by a pharmacist and billed to the prescription benefit, without going through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. In our letter, we cited data that shows that open formulary access could improve patient access and save Texas money by eliminating the barriers posed by VFC to pharmacy participation.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
The Department of Justice which operates the prescription drug monitoring program called CURES is hosting a webinar on Tuesday, August 28 to educate approved healthcare practitioners and pharmacists on how to utilize a new technology system to access information in the CURES database. Registration is available online.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Colorado
The Board of Pharmacy is seeking individuals to volunteer to serve on two short-term task forces to examine certain rules and draft amendments. The rules under review are:
- Rule 6.00.00 Drug Therapy Management
- Rule 17.00.00 Collaborative Pharmacy Practice
- Rule 14.00.00 Other Outlets (Telepharmacy)
Those interested should submit a cover letter indicating your interest in a particular rule and resume to Yukon Morford by Monday, August 20. The Board will review the applicants and select the task force members at its Thursday, September 20 meeting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Massachusetts
Gov. Charlie Baker (R) signed into law HB 4742 (formerly HB 4866), requiring that on or after Wednesday, January 1, 2020, prescriptions for Schedule II through VI controlled substances must be issued via an electronic prescription from the prescriber to a pharmacy. The law also creates a statewide standing order for the dispensing of naloxone and permits pharmacists to bill the insurer for the person requesting an opioid antagonist dispensed through the standing order. Additionally, pharmacists are not required to determine the identity of the ultimate user and the customer may pay cash for the prescription, if they prefer.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Oklahoma
The Board of Pharmacy announced that former Board Member Dorothy Gourley, D.Ph. will serve as interim executive director while the Board conducts a search for a new executive director.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.