Iowa
Effective April 4, the Board of Pharmacy transitioned the state’s Prescription Monitoring Program to Appriss Health’s AWARxE platform. Please visit the Board’s website for more information, including a user guide and frequently asked questions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Kentucky
Pharmacists will be required to inform patients about the importance of safe disposal of prescription drugs under a bill that became law this week without the Governor’s signature. SB 6, would have originally required pharmacies and practitioners to distribute or sell drug sequestration or deactivation products with every controlled substance prescription, but was significantly amended during the legislative process with a compromise amendment that made it optional for pharmacies to sell or distribute the drug disposal products. However, the law will require pharmacies and practitioners to inform patients filling certain controlled substances with information on safe drug disposal methods either verbally, in written format or through signage. The law also contains graded penalties for pharmacies and practitioners who violate the law, starting at $25 for a first offense. Additionally, the law encourages manufacturers of the drug disposal technologies to enter into consignment-reimbursement contracts with pharmacies to stock their products. The law’s effective date is yet to be determined, but likely will be in mid-July 2018. NACDS supported the on-the-ground efforts of the Kentucky Retail Federation to advance the amendment to the bill.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Louisiana
On April 4, NACDS and Surescripts testified before the House Health and Welfare Committee in support of mandatory e-prescribing legislation, HB 538, introduced by Rep. Dustin Miller (D). The bill was amended to mandate e-prescribing for opioids only and was passed by a 7-4 margin.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Nebraska
Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) signed into law LB 931 limiting opioid prescriptions to individuals under nineteen years of age to seven days, effective Wednesday, July 4 (three months after being signed). The law also requires patients receiving dispensed opioids to show identification if the patient is not personally and positively known to the pharmacist or dispensing practitioner. For more information, please see Gov. Ricketts’ press release.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Pennsylvania
On April 16, the House Insurance Committee will consider HB 1800, legislation facilitating medication synchronization. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Eric Nelson (R), has 43 cosponsors. It requires insurers to allow partial fills, prorated copays and payment of a full dispensing fee. NACDS is supporting the on-the-ground efforts of the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores to advance the bill.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Virginia
The Board of Pharmacy recently issued a Guidance document concerning pharmacists counseling to patients about proper disposal of unused prescription drugs. The document recommends that pharmacists verbally counsel or provide written information on the importance of proper storage and disposal of drugs to patients or their agents that fill prescriptions for drugs in Schedules II-V, as well as any drugs of concern. Additionally, it provides resources and links to proper drug storage and disposal options.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
West Virginia
Effective April 2, pharmacists can administer the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to adults by protocol, and the influenza and HPV vaccines to adolescents between 11 and 18 years old by prescription, under a Board of Pharmacy rule that was given final approval by the General Assembly prior to the adjournment of the 2018 Legislative Session.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Wisconsin
The Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin announced resources to assist pharmacists to comply with the new law requiring pseudoephedrine products be tracked electronically through the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx) effective Friday, June 1. PSW created a guide to the law and a training guide for using the internet portal.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Florida
On February 7, 2018, the Board of Pharmacy proposed a change to rule 64B16-27.630 to add Meningococcal B (MedB) and Zoster Vaccine Recombinant, Adjuvanted. The final rule is effective Thursday, April 12, 2018.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Illinois
In the wake of new counties being added to the Medicaid Managed Care program (HealthChoice Illinois) effective April 1, the Illinois Pharmacists Association (IPhA) is in regular contact with the Department of Health and Family Services about challenges with patient transitions from fee-for-service to managed care. IPhA indicates that pharmacies having unresolved issues with Medicaid recipients can email IPhA. Please include the Recipient Identification Number (RIN), which MCO (not PBM) and any relevant notes. To file a complaint so that it is on the record, visit the HFS webpage and complete Illinois’ Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO) Provider Complaint Form. IPhA also encourages Medicaid recipients who need to enroll or call HealthChoice Illinois with questions to call 877-912-8880 (TTY: 1-866-565-8576) Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Iowa
The Board of Pharmacy announced, effective Wednesday, May 16, that dispensers will be required to report to the Prescription Monitoring Program by the next business day following dispensing. Questions can be directed to Jennifer Tiffany at 515-242-5139.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Kansas
Gov. Jeff Colyer (R) signed into law SB 351, the Kansas Pharmacy Patients Fair Practices Act. The new law states that a pharmacy or pharmacist shall have the right to cost transparency and pricing transparency, and that a pharmacist may discuss lower-cost prescription alternatives with a consumer.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Michigan
Gov. Rick Snyder (R) signed HB 5678 into law on April 2 with immediate effect, delaying implementation of last year’s legislation that stated, beginning March 31, 2018, a prescriber must not prescribe a Schedule II through V controlled substance unless the prescriber is in a bona fide prescriber-patient relationship with the patient. Under this law, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is required to promulgate rules defining what constitutes a “bona fide prescriber-patient relationship.” Per HB 5678, the implementation date is now Sunday, March 31, 2019. However, if rules are promulgated by DHHS before that date, the effective date will be the date in which the rules are finalized.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Ohio
On April 4, the Department of Insurance issued Bulletin 2018-02, prohibiting insurers and Pharmacy Benefit Managers from:
- Prohibiting any person, directly or indirectly, from informing, by any means, an individual about less expensive ways to purchase prescription drugs that may also be available under any insurance policy or benefit plan.
- Requiring cost-sharing in an amount, or directing a pharmacy to collect cost-sharing in an amount, greater than the amount an individual would pay for the prescription drug if the drug were purchased without coverage under a health benefit plan.
The bulletin was effective upon release.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
South Dakota
The Board of Pharmacy has put the newest version of its Pharmacy Law Bookon its website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Wisconsin
SB 575, legislation allowing pharmacists to substitute interchangeable biologic drugs and establishing guidelines for notification, has been signed by Gov. Scott Walker (R) with an effective date of March 30. For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Also in Wisconsin… Gov. Walker signed into law AB 681, which will require minors to have a prescription to purchase products containing dextromethorphan, effective Monday, April 1, 2019.
Also in Wisconsin… the Pharmacy Examining Board announced its adopted rules updating standards for sterile and nonsterile compounding to align with USP Chapters <795> and <797> effective Thursday, November 1, 2018.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Arizona
Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed into law HB 2633 amending the Opioid Law enacted earlier this year during a Special Session. The newly enacted law eliminates the need for pharmacists to verify with the prescriber when a prescription exceeds the state limit for Scheduled II controlled substances containing opioids, eliminates pharmacists having to confirm with the prescriber and the Board of Pharmacy if a prescriber has received a waiver and allows the Board of Pharmacy to waive redcap requirements if it’s not feasible because of specific dosage form or type of packaging.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Colorado
HB 18-1279, mandatory e-prescribing legislation NACDS and a broad coalition support, was heard in the House Health, Insurance and Environment Committee on March 29.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Florida
HB 351, sponsored by Rep. David Santiago (R), was signed by Gov. Rick Scott (R) on March 23. Effective Sunday, July 1, contracts with a PBM shall prohibit the limitation of a pharmacy’s or pharmacist’s ability to substitute a less expensive, generically equivalent drug or to disclose whether a subscriber’s cost-sharing obligation exceeds the retail price for a covered prescription drug and availability of a more affordable alternative drug. Additionally, effective Tuesday, January 1, 2019, PBMs are required to register with the Office of Insurance Regulation and pay a registration fee and a renewal fee every two years from the date of initial certification, both of which shall not exceed $500 and are non-refundable. The Office must issue a registration certificate upon receipt of a completed registration form and adopt rules.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Kentucky
SB 6, a bill that originally would have required pharmacies and practitioners to distribute or sell drug sequestration or deactivation products with every controlled substance prescription, was significantly amended in the House Health and Family Services Committee, subsequently passed both chambers and will be sent to the Governor for signing. The compromise amendment makes it optional for pharmacies to sell or distribute the drug disposal products. However, it requires pharmacies and practitioners to inform patients filling certain controlled substances with information on safe drug disposal methods either verbally, in written format or through signage. The bill also contains graded penalties for pharmacies and practitioners who violate the law, starting at $25 for a first offense. The bill encourages manufacturers of the drug disposal technologies to enter into consignment-reimbursement contracts with pharmacies to stock their products. The Legislature is currently scheduled to adjourn sine die on Saturday, April 14, and the law would be effective 90 days after sine die. NACDS supported the on-the-ground efforts of the Kentucky Retail Federation to amend this bill.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Pennsylvania
HB 1800, legislation related to pharmacists performing medication synchronization, has been introduced with 43 co-sponsors. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Eric Nelson (R), requires insurers to allow partial fills, prorates copays and requires a full dispensing fee. Committee consideration of this legislation, an initiative of the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores, is anticipated this spring.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
West Virginia
HB 4524, legislation allowing pharmacists to substitute interchangeable biologic drugs and establishes guidelines for notification, has been signed by Gov. Jim Justice (R) with an effective date of Friday, June 8.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Arkansas
As a result of the special session convened last week, Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) signed into law a PBM licensure bill that grants power to the state’s Insurance Department to regulate how PBMs operate in the state.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Florida
The legislature adjourned last week. Of note, HB 21, sponsored by Rep. Jim Boyd (R), was signed by Gov. Rick Scott (R) on March 20. Included in the many provisions of the bill, effective, Sunday, July 1, specific to controlled substances, the bill requires the dispenser check the identification of unknown persons prior to dispensing. Additionally, the bill imposes a three-day supply limit with an exception for a seven-day supply if certain criteria are met, and requires that the prescriber or dispenser must consult the prescription drug monitoring system to review a patient’s controlled substance dispensing history before prescribing or dispensing a controlled substance for a patient age 16 years or older. This requirement does not apply when prescribing or dispensing a nonopioid controlled substance listed in Schedule V in Federal Regulations.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Indiana
The General Assembly adjourned the 2018 Legislative Session on March 14. Two bills related to opioids that were of concern to pharmacy did not advance. SB 338 would have required the Department of Health to establish a statewide drug takeback program. The bill did not receive a committee hearing. SB 339, which was reported from committee, but not taken up by the full Senate, would have mandated that pharmacists dispense all Schedule II controlled substances in lockable vials. NACDS supported the Indiana Retail Council’s efforts to represent pharmacies’ concerns with both proposals.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.