Texas
At its May 1 meeting, the State Board of Pharmacy adopted proposed amendments to 22 TAC sec 291.32 (c)(2)(D) to allow for the utilization of automated checking devices to satisfy final product verification requirements.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Virginia
The Department of Health Profession/Board of Pharmacy announced the denial of a petition to amend regulations under 19 VAC 110-20 to revise the requirement for retention of records beyond two years to include records of vaccine administration. The board decided to take no action at this time but referred the request to the Regulation Committee to determine what would be involved in requiring practitioners who administer immunizations to report to the Virginia Immunization Information System database.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-837-4195.
Wisconsin
Gov. Scott Walker (R) signed into law AB 608 pertaining to remote dispensing. The law clarified that pharmacists can delegate to unlicensed personnel, such as pharmacy technicians, and that pharmacy technicians can dispense prescriptions, at remote dispensing locations.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Alabama
Medicaid is proposing to make a small change in the 271 Eligibility response, but would like to gauge impact to vendors before making the change. If you utilize the 271 Eligibility response, either real-time or batch, please have your software vendor or clearinghouse fill out the following brief survey so that Medicaid staff can determine the potential impact of the proposed change. The survey needs to be completed by Wednesday, May 9.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
California
In an effort to better explain the new Board of Pharmacy regulation on Inventory Reconciliation Report of Controlled Substances that went into effect on April 1, the Board developed answers to a list of frequently asked questions. A summary on the regulation and FAQs may be viewed on the board’s website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Colorado
In advance of the Board of Pharmacy’s April 17 stakeholder meeting on proposed draft rules on perpetual inventory, NACDS provided detailed comments that the proposal is too broad.
Also in Colorado…HB 18-1279, legislation chain pharmacies support that would mandate e-prescribing, passed the House on April 17 by a close 33-30 vote. However, the bill failed to advance and died in the Senate State,Veterans and Military Affairs Committee on April 25.
Also in Colorado…On Friday, May 11, the Department of Health Care Financing and Policy will hold a hearing on a proposed rule that will increase the durable medical equipment (DME) encounter rate by 1.402%.
Also in Colorado…Working with our in-state partners, NACDS is opposing HB18-1538, legislation that would require pharmacies to post for the public each pharmacy’s drug prices promptly at the pharmacy and on the pharmacy’s website, including the date of the price change. The Board of Pharmacy is required to establish rules on price disclosures by pharmacies. Most concerning is that if the Board determines that a pharmacy does not comply with the requirements, this constitutes unprofessional conduct and the pharmacy/pharmacist may be subject to disciplinary action. The bill is scheduled to be heard on April 26 in the House Health, Insurance and Environment Committee.
Also in Colorado…Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) signed into law HB 18-1112, legislation requiring pharmacists be paid for healthcare services in professional shortage areas.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Georgia
As a reminder, effective January 1, 2018, every prescriber who maintains an active DEA certificate and prescribes controlled substances, except those holding a residency training permit, was required to complete at least three hours of AMA/AOA PRA Category 1 CME that is designed specifically to address controlled substance prescribing practices. Pharmacists are also encouraged to complete this online program to understand the new requirements and guidelines for controlled substances prescribing and chronic pain management. Additionally, pharmacists are expected to serve as a resource for prescribers and patients on these regulations and requirements.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Louisiana
Last week, the Department of Health (LDH) released a report on the economic impact of the Medicaid expansion, showing that the state has benefitted from Gov. John Bel Edward’s (D) Executive Order to bring more federal dollars to provide for the healthcare for the working poor.
Also in Louisiana…On April 16, Medicaid distributed a cost of dispensing survey to pharmacies so that they can update the professional dispensing fee. Completed surveys are due to Mercer by Friday, May 11.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Nevada
On April 18, Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) convened the second meeting of his Opioid State Action Accountability Task Force. Numerous stakeholders, including the Board of Pharmacy, provided status reports on prescriber education and guidelines, treatment options and third-party payers, data collection and sharing and criminal justice investigations.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New Mexico
In advance of the April 19 Board of Pharmacy meeting, NACDS provided comments on proposed rules pointing out the inconsistencies on partial fill versus federal partial fill laws and rules and on proposed rules updating the timeframe for submitting corrections to dispensing information previously provided to the prescription monitoring program.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Oklahoma
The Board of Pharmacy issued clarifications to licensed pharmacists on how to handle Schedule II controlled substances prescriptions when the entire quantity is not covered by insurance and the Drug Abuse Treatment Act-Waived Physicians.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Texas
The Health and Human Services Commission’s Vendor Drug Program (VDP) announced that effective Tuesday, May 15, the status of the antipsychotic clinical prior authorization will be optional. For more information, go to the VDP website’s Pharmacy Clinical Prior Authorization Assistance Chart.
Also in Texas…Effective Monday, April 30, the Vendor Drug Program (VDP) will no longer allow pharmacies to submit a code to override the prescriber enrollment denial in emergencies when the prescribing provider is not enrolled. Beginning Friday, April 30 and continuing until Friday, July 27, pharmacies should contact the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Pharmacy Benefits Access Help Desk at 1-800-435-4165 to obtain a manual override of the prescriber enrollment denial. The Help Desk will only override a denial one time per person per prescriber.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Illinois
The state’s Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) adopted rules effective May 1 for individuals or organizations to take back and dispose medications. For more information, please contact Gabriel Neibergall, an IEPA attorney, at 217-782-5544.
Also in Illinois…The Department of Public Health (IDPH) launched its Opioid Data Dashboard, a website offering information about how opioids are affecting people in Illinois, including rates of opioid prescriptions by county. Additional information about efforts to curb abuse and misuse is available in the State of Illinois Opioid Action Plan.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
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.