In The States – Page 166 – Weekly news about states

Utah

On March 23, Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed HB 80, allowing for Medicaid reimbursement for diabetes prevention services including an additional appropriation for the Department of Health and Human Services in Fiscal Year 2022-2023. Beginning July 1, 2022, Medicaid will reimburse a provider for an enrollee’s participation in the CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program under certain conditions.

Also in Utah, On March 24, Gov. Spencer Cox (R) also signed SB 3, that includes a block grant in the amount of $500,000 for alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention, reduction, cessation, and control programs or for emergent disease control and prevention needs for the Department of Health’s Disease Control and Prevention.

Finally in Utah, on March 24, Gov. Cox signed SB 236, allows a therapeutic equivalent to be dispensed for needles or other supplies for treating diabetes and allows a pharmacist to dispense up to a 100-day supply of insulin with a valid prescription among its various provisions.

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

Erica Joyner2022-04-08T11:49:56-04:00April 8, 2022|Utah|

Wyoming

On March 7, Gov. Mark Gordon (R) signed SF 24 (Chapter Number 7), authorizing the administration of immunizations by pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns. It also eliminates the statutory definition of “direct” supervision requirements for pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns, leaving the “supervision” requirements to be further specified by the Board of Pharmacy.

Also in Wyoming, on March 15, Gov. Mark Gordon (R) signed SF 101 (Chapter Number 69), permitting pharmacists to prescribe an opiate antagonist in accordance with the Emergency Administration Medical Treatment Act. It also directs the Board of Pharmacy, in cooperation with the Board of Medicine, to adopt rules delineating the requirements a pharmacist must need to prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector.

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

Erica Joyner2022-04-08T11:49:00-04:00April 8, 2022|Wyoming|

Alabama

The Alabama Department of Public Health has stated that allocation quantities of Paxlovid and Lagevrio (molnupiravir) have increased. ADPH has expanded access to most of the chain pharmacies and several independent pharmacies. If you are interested in being an oral antiviral provider, please review the information below.

Pharmacies interested in dispensing Paxlovid and/or Lagevrio (molnupiravir) for the treatment of COVID-19 should send an email to pharmacy@adph.state.al.us. The Pharmacy Division at the Alabama Department of Public Health will provide information and assist with setting up an HPOP account which is required by HHS. Through this account, pharmacies will report utilization daily which is also required by HHS. The Fact Sheet for Paxlovid can be found here. The Fact Sheet for Lagevrio (molnupiravir) can be found here.

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

Michael Silber2022-04-01T12:54:18-04:00April 1, 2022|Alabama|

Arizona

Governor Doug Ducey (R) signed SB 1309 (Chapter 77), extending temporary licenses issued during the COVID-19 emergency declaration and active on March 1, 2022; they do not expire until January 1, 2023.

Also in Arizona, Gov. Ducey announced the end of the COVID-19 emergency declaration.

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

Michael Silber2022-04-01T12:49:56-04:00April 1, 2022|Arizona|

California

The Board of Pharmacy has rescheduled April 19 Standard of Care Ad Hoc Committee meeting to June 22. The Board also announced the April 20 Medication Error Reduction and Workforce Ad Hoc Committee meeting will be rescheduled (TBD).

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted this DUR article titled “Improving the Quality of Care: Legislative Impact on the Use of Naloxone” on its Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note the Table 2 update on March 31.

Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal on March 24:

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

Michael Silber2022-04-01T12:46:41-04:00April 1, 2022|California|

Illinois

he Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted an updated Class Review Schedule. You may view the new schedule here.

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

Michael Silber2022-04-01T12:44:24-04:00April 1, 2022|Illinois|

Louisiana

A final rule was published in the March 20, 2022, Louisiana Register codifying the authority for pharmacy technicians and pharmacist interns to administer medications effective immediately. It also simplifies existing administrative requirements for vaccines provided by pharmacy providers.

Also in Louisiana, the House Committee on Health and Welfare meeting was cancelled this week because of the special session Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) convened on redistricting. We now expect HB 424 by Rep. Chris Turner (R) to be heard next Wednesday, April 6th. The bill allows pharmacy interns or certified pharmacy technicians, supervised by a pharmacist, to administer influenza immunizations; it lowers the minimum age from seven years of age to three without a patient-specific prescription or medical order. NACDS urges members to continue to contact all House members encouraging them to support the bill.

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

Michael Silber2022-04-01T12:42:31-04:00April 1, 2022|Louisiana|

Missouri

The MO HealthNet Division recently issued a new COVID vaccine provider bulletin.

Also in Missouri, the Department of Commerce’s Department of Health, and Senior Services (DHSS) and Insurance issued a new Standing Order for COVID tests provided by pharmacies. DHSS’s previously issued Standing Orders are available here.

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

Michael Silber2022-04-01T12:40:11-04:00April 1, 2022|Missouri|

New York

The New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Team has recently updated its Guidance for the NYS COVID-19 Vaccination Program for individuals 12 years of age and older. The updates reflect the recent CDC changes in COVID-19 vaccine clinical guidance. The updates include:

Options for extended intervals between doses of the mRNA primary series (pages 1 and 2)
Additional details on myocarditis (page 2)
J&J extended shelf life (page 11)

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Michael Silber2022-04-01T12:34:06-04:00April 1, 2022|New York|