Mississippi
The Division of Medicaid, in conjunction with its contractors Conduent, Alliant UM/QIO and the MSCAN plans – Magnolia Health, Molina Healthcare and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, will conduct “FREE” Medicaid Provider Workshops beginning Tuesday, June 11 through Tuesday, July 30, at locations throughout the state. These workshops are designed to provide information and changes related to Medicaid and managed care programs. Office directors, office managers, coders, practitioners and billing staff are encouraged to attend. Please RSVP because space is limited.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Maryland
NACDS reminds members that beginning Saturday, June 1, all dispensers must begin reporting data to the state’s new prescription drug monitoring program vendor, RxGov. The Department of Health is urging pharmacies to begin this process as soon as possible as they have experienced delays in uploading of data to the new product.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Kansas
The Board of Pharmacy has been asked to nominate at least two individuals for potential appointment to the vacancy on the Medicaid Drug Utilization Review Board. The vacancy is for a pharmacist who is actively engaged in retail pharmacy and has experience with the State Medicaid Plan. Please have interested candidates submit their name, contact information, letter of interest and CV/resume to the Board’s Executive Secretary, Alexandra Blasi, JD, MBA, no later than Thursday, May 23. Nominations will be considered at the Board’s Thursday, June 6 meeting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Indiana
On April 30, the Health Commissioner Kristina Box issued a standing order for the purpose of allowing pharmacists to vaccinate adults against measles. The standing order will be effective until Tuesday, December 31 and provides details on the procedure that should be followed by pharmacies that wish to participate.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Texas
Legislation, NACDS supports after our amendments were accepted that prohibits the sale of products containing dextromethorphan to persons under the age of 18 years, has passed the House and is pending final action by the Senate. (HB 1518/SB 349)
Also in Texas…HB 1264, legislation filed by Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D), the Chair of the House Public Health Committee, which will repeal the sunset date for pharmacists reporting the dispensing of biologics, passed both the House and Senate, and now is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to be signed into law.
Also in Texas… NACDS-supported non-controversial clean-up legislation clarifying that pharmacists do not have to do redundant checking of the prescription monitoring program (PMP) when refilling Schedule II-V controlled substances—since both prescribers and dispensers already reviewed the PMP report prior to the initial prescribing and dispensing of the prescription—passed the Senate and is pending in the House. (HB 577/SB 420)
Also in Texas…After negotiations with Rep. Jay Dean (R), Dean agreed to withdraw HB 2086, legislation that would have mandated all pharmacies take back and dispose of unwanted medications free of charge. If a pharmacy does not provide safe disposal options at no cost to the consumer, then the compromise reached with Rep. Dean requires pharmacies to simply include messaging and a link to the Drug Enforcement Administration as part of the patient information provided with every Schedule II controlled substance prescription. The committee substitute bill (CS HB 2088) passed the House Public Health Committee on April 24 and is pending a vote by the full House.
Also in Texas…NACDS successfully negotiated amendments to Rep. Shawn Thierry’s (D) bill that requires pharmacies to add the same auxiliary warning label on opioid prescriptions that has been adopted by five other states—“Caution: Opioid. Risk of overdose and addiction.” (CS HB 562) As part of the compromise, the representative agreed not to pursue two other bills mandating onerous additional opioid counseling and documentation requirements, and the other bill required additional written material on the dangers of opioids, a lengthy warning label in large capital letters, and red caps for all opioid prescriptions. (HB 536 & HB 563)
Also in Texas…HB 2174, legislation mandating all controlled substance be electronically prescribed by Friday, January 1, 2021, and for which NACDS has garnered broad-based support, passed the House on April 26. It was subsequently referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee where NACDS hopes to substitute SB 1233—the companion bill filed by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R), the chair of the Committee—which was heard in the Committee last month along with the House-passed version.
Also in Texas…Effective April 15, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) implemented the final rules to align reimbursement standards for pharmacy services to conform with the Medicaid State Plan (SP) under 1 TAC §§355.8541, 355.8548, 355.8551. The final rule revisions are consistent with the current SP and federal law and do not constitute a change to current pharmacy reimbursement under Medicaid fee-for-service; reimbursement is calculated consistently with the Medicaid State Plan and federal law. Additionally, the final rule changes under 1 TAC §354.1831 amending regulations to clarify that limited home health supplies listed in the Texas Drug Code Index are covered drugs. Lastly, the rule changes under 1 TAC §354.1867 amend regulations to clarify that early refills of drugs used to treat chronic conditions included in a medication synchronization plan may be jointly approved by the HHSC, the applicable pharmacist, enrollee, and the prescribing physician or healthcare provider. The rule also clarifies that pharmacists must comply with related procedures in the Vendor Drug Program pharmacy provider manual, and that dispensing fees will not be prorated.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Oklahoma
SB 856, legislation by pharmacist Sen. Rob Standridge (R) that would have set the pharmacy technician to pharmacist ratio in statute at 2:1 which passed the Senate last month, died in the House Business and Commerce Committee.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Nevada
AB 310, legislation mandating electronic prescribing of controlled substances introduced by Speaker Jason Frierson (D) that has broad-based support from pharmacies, the business community, law enforcement, and prescribers and that passed the Assembly two weeks ago, was heard in the Senate Business and Commerce Committee on May 1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Louisiana
Effective May 1, the Medicaid single preferred drug list took effect for all managed care organizations and Medicaid fee-for-service.
Also in Louisiana…In partnership with the Louisiana Pharmacists Association, The University of Louisiana Monroe College of Pharmacy and the Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy, NACDS co-sponsored the Pharmacy Legislative Day at the Capitol on April 29. In the rotunda, pharmacists and students set up displays and provided screenings and education to state lawmakers, legislative staff, lobbyists and tourists.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Colorado
The General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn at midnight on Friday, May 3.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
SB 617, legislation introduced by Sen. Steve Glazer (D), Chair of the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee, would allow pharmacies with collective bargaining agreements and meeting certain requirements to petition the Board of Pharmacy to increase the pharmacy technician to pharmacist ratio from 1:1 to 3:1. The bill was amended and passed the Committee on April 22 and has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Arkansas
On April 24, the Arkansas General Assembly adjourned its 88-day session. Unless otherwise specified, all new laws will go into effect 90 days post adjournment on Tuesday,
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Indiana
SB 176, legislation that would require all controlled substance prescriptions to be e-prescribed, has been signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) after passing both chambers unanimously. The law will be effective Friday, January 1, 2021, and contains exceptions similar to those in NACDS’ model language. NACDS appreciates the leadership of Sen. Ron Grooms (R) and Rep. Steve Davisson (R), as well as the on-the-ground efforts of the Indiana Retail Council in passing this bill.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Pharmaceutical Contract for the Elderly (PACE) Program announced that it began paying pharmacies for medication synchronization services for patients on April 15. The program will be under the PACE side of the benefit, rather than Part D-based. The program is a result of an agreed to amendment proposed jointly by NACDS and the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores in legislation that passed in the last legislative session.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Maryland
Legislation considered a prelude to efforts to further expanding pharmacists’ immunization authority is on its way to Gov. Larry Hogan (R). HB 316, sponsored by Del. Ariana Kelly (D), will require all health care providers who administer a vaccine to report it to the Maryland immunization registry, ImmuNet. Once signed, HB 316 will be effective Tuesday, October 1. The legislation was an initiative of the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores. NACDS thanks the Maryland Retail Association for its on-the-ground work in advancing this bill.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Montana
Gov. Steve Bullock (D) signed into law HB 86 (Chapter Number 89) which requires a positive ID for controlled substances not dispensed directly to the patient with exceptions and recordkeeping requirements; a 7-day prescription limit on opioids to an opioid naïve patient; and mandatory use of the prescription drug registry by a prescriber or an agent of the prescriber prior to issuing a prescription for an opioid or a benzodiazepine with exceptions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
West Virginia
Several bills advancing pharmacy practice were signed by Gov. Jim Justice (R). HB 2525 allows pharmacists to initiate tobacco cessation therapy and dispense tobacco cessation products under a statewide standing order. The law requires the Commissioner of the Bureau of Public Health to issue the necessary standing orders for therapy, non-controlled prescription and over-the-counter drugs. HB 2583 permits a pharmacist to dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive under a standing order to patients 18 years of age or older, after completion of a Board of Pharmacy approval of training programs. HB 2524 allows pharmacists, under certain circumstances, to convert maintenance medications to a 90-day quantity and allows for emergency refills under certain conditions. The bills will be effective on Thursday, June 6.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Utah
Gov. Gary Herbert (R) has signed into law House Concurrent Resolution 1urging the Drug Enforcement Administration to approve a pilot program for drug takeback drop boxes in pharmacies that are controlled by local law enforcement agencies.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Texas
The Health and Humans Services Department of State Health Services’ Immunization Unit created this flyer to help pharmacies educate patients about opting into ImmTrac2, the state’s immunization registry.
Also in Texas… HB 2174/SB 1233, legislation filed by Rep. John Zerwas (R) and Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R) that the Attorney General and pharmacies support mandating e-prescribing for all controlled substances by Friday, January 1, 2021 and also includes provisions to limit the day supply for acute pain medications to seven days, has been heard in both the House Public Health and Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
Also in Texas… SB 420/HB 577, legislation filed by Sen. Dawn Buckingham (R) and Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D) clarifying the new requirements to check the prescription monitoring program for certain refill prescriptions has passed the Senate and is pending further action in the House Public Health Committee.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Oklahoma
Last week, the Board of Pharmacy approved regulations NACDS supported that if approved by the Legislature, will increase the pharmacy technician to pharmacist ratio from 2:1 to 5:1.
Also in Oklahoma… NACDS is closely monitoring SB 856, legislation pending in the House Health Committee that pharmacies oppose filed by pharmacist Sen. Rob Standridge (R) that would limit the technician to pharmacist ratio to 2:1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
North Dakota
Gov. Doug Burgum (R) signed into law SB 2231 effective Thursday, August 1. The law allows pharmacists to initiate/modify drug therapy pursuant to established protocols, authorizes a pharmacist to furnish different types of medications, and eliminates some of the administrative requirements for collaborative practice agreements.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
New York
New York met its April 1 deadline for completion of its 2019-20 state budget. The final budget included a rejection of an across-the-board reduction in Medicaid claims totaling $380 million in combined federal and state dollars and included the elimination of spread pricing for Medicaid Managed Care plans. It did not include an expansion of the pharmacy technician ratio that was supported by NACDS. A $100 million opioid excise tax on drug manufacturers and wholesalers was also included. NACDS and the Community Pharmacy Association of New York State worked diligently to reject this tax citing that this would really be a tax on patients and pharmacies. NACDS is coordinating a legal review of the new tax law with the Healthcare Distribution Alliance to identify potential legal challenges, if any, to the new law.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Nevada
AB 310, legislation introduced by Speaker of the House Jason Frierson (D) mandating e-prescribing for all controlled substances by Friday, January 1, 2021, was heard in the Senate Business and Commerce Committee last week.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New Mexico
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) signed into law SB 221, legislation that will permit pharmacists and other healthcare providers who prescribe an opioid analgesic for a patient to co-prescribe an opioid antagonist if the amount of opioid analgesic being prescribed is at least a five-day supply effective Tuesday, June 4.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Montana
SB 322, legislation creating a $5 million endorsement fee and endorsement license on wholesalers distributing opioids into the state, has failed to gain a majority vote in committee and failed an attempt to pull the bill directly to the floor. The bill is now considered dead for the 2019 Legislative Session.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Mississippi
Effective April 1, the Division of Medicaid (DOM) updated its Voluntary 90-Day Drug Maintenance List for prescribing/pharmacy providers. This list is a resource to help clinicians manage a Medicaid beneficiary’s monthly prescription drug limit, unless clinically contraindicated.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.