Kentucky
HB 200, the state budget bill, was enacted on April 13 after the legislature overrode Gov. Matt Bevin’s (R) veto. The final budget includes language increasing Medicaid managed care dispensing fees by $12 million in 2018-2019.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Michigan
Following up previous reporting about the Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) delay of implementing the requirement that all providers serving Medicaid beneficiaries be screened and enrolled in the Michigan Medicaid program, MDDHS announced it is still reassessing new implementation and enforcement dates.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
New Hampshire
NACDS testified before the Board of Pharmacy on amendments to proposed continuous quality improvement regulations. In response to testimony and comments from the public, the Board agreed to table the proposal and hold another public hearing.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
New York
Last week, NACDS joined over 700 pharmacists and pharmacy interns in meetings with state legislators to urge passage of several key pieces of legislation including allowing pharmacy interns to immunize, allow comprehensive medication management in the community pharmacy setting and recognition of pharmacy technicians in statute and regulation.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Pennsylvania
On April 16, the House Insurance Committee unanimously approved 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. The bill is now eligible for a vote by the full House. 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.
California
On April 11, the Assembly Business and Professions Committee held a hearing on AB 2789, Assemblymember Jim Wood’s (D) mandatory e-prescribing bill sponsored by the Board of Pharmacy. NACDS and the California Retailers Association submitted a joint support letter.
Also in California…The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is hosting a Medi-Cal Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting on Thursday, May 17 in Sacramento. Director Jennifer Kent will provide updates on federal and state developments, including health care policy issues affecting DHCS and Section 1115 waiver implementation efforts. To view meeting information, materials, or historical documents, please visit the DHCS website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
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.