In The States – Page 177 – Weekly news about states

Kentucky

On May 5, the Department of Medicaid Service (DMS) issued a statement asking pharmacies to hold off on reprocessing and rebilling TPL claims as requested by MedImpact in a recent communication to pharmacies. The statement, issued by Dr. Fatima Ali, Senior Director, Medicaid Pharmacy Services, reads: “DMS is requesting that pharmacies hold off on reversing and reprocessing claims until further guidance is provided in the upcoming days. DMS is exploring alternative solutions around the TPL issue and will provide additional updates ASAP. Thank you!”

NACDS thanks the Kentucky Retail Federation and the Kentucky Pharmacists Association for their work on this issue and for sharing this information with us. We will keep members informed via email on any developments on this issue.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Michael Silber2022-05-06T10:17:20-04:00May 6, 2022|Kentucky|

Louisiana

HB (House Bill) 424 by Rep. Chris Taylor (R), legislation lowering the age to 7 and older for pharmacies to be able to provide immunizations without a prescription, fell one vote short of the 53 votes needed to pass the full House; final passage vote was 52 in favor and 37 opposed.

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

Michael Silber2022-05-06T10:16:28-04:00May 6, 2022|Louisiana|

Minnesota

To view this week’s Department of Health COVID-19 vaccine provider weekly update, past updates or to subscribe to them click here.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Michael Silber2022-05-06T10:15:53-04:00May 6, 2022|Minnesota|

Nebraska

The Board of Pharmacy published its May 9 agenda (REVISED) and March 7 draft minutes.

Also in Nebraska, the Department. of Health and Human Services distributed the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) Health Advisory: Updated Information on Availability and Use of Treatments for Outpatients with Mild to Moderate COVID-19 Who are at Increased Risk for Severe Outcomes of COVID-19.

Finally in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the next COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on June 1 at noon (Central).

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

Michael Silber2022-05-06T10:15:03-04:00May 6, 2022|Nebraska|

New Jersey

NACDS submitted a letter to the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy seeking clarification on a policy matter related to the expiration of Schedule III-V controlled substance prescriptions. NACDS members have received direction from representatives of the New Jersey Medicaid program that contradicts both federal and state laws and regulations regarding the timeframe in which Schedule III-V prescriptions expire, NACDS has asked the Board to provide needed clarification on this matter.

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

Michael Silber2022-05-06T10:14:29-04:00May 6, 2022|New Jersey|

North Carolina

The Board of Pharmacy has completed a rulemaking to create new Rule .2515, “Remote Work by Pharmacy Personnel.” The rule authorizes, and governs, a pharmacy’s use of its own pharmacy personnel employees to perform certain remote operations. The rule is effective May 1, 2022.

The Board’s March 17, 2020, Expanded Emergency Services Waiver, issued because of the COVID-19 public health emergency, previously authorized intra-pharmacy remote operations. New Rule .2515 does not differ materially from the waiver provisions concerning intra-pharmacy remote operations.

Accordingly, Rule .2515 (and not the waiver) will govern this practice come May 1. Detailed guidance to Rule .2515 is found here. Please note, a different rule, Rule. 1816, governs inter-pharmacy remote medication order processing arrangements. Detailed guidance to that rule is found here.

Also in North Carolina, all the respective statewide standing orders for all new therapies allowed under HB 96 can be found here.

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

Michael Silber2022-05-06T10:13:44-04:00May 6, 2022|North Carolina|

Ohio

Governor Mike DeWine (R) signed Executive Order 2022-05D to suspend the normal rulemaking process to allow the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to classify several bezimidazole-opioids as Schedule One drugs, meaning they have no accepted medical use in treatment and pose an imminent hazard to public health, safety, and welfare.

Also in Ohio, The Department of Medicaid (ODM (Ohio Department of Medicaid)) has posted the slides from its most recent pharmacy stakeholder online seminar that outlines their future process for reimbursing pharmacies for Specialty Drugs under the Managed Care Single Pharmaceutical Benefits Manager Program (SPBM). Additionally, ODM announced that the implementation of the SPBM program has been delayed until October of 2022. More information can be found on the SPBM webpage. Members should expect ODM to schedule the next online seminar, on which ODM intends to announce new pharmacy rates, to be scheduled for the week of May 16. NACDS will email the invite to members operating in Ohio as soon as we receive it.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Michael Silber2022-05-06T10:12:30-04:00May 6, 2022|Ohio|

Oregon

HB 4034, which was signed into law on March 23, includes several provisions of interest including allowing a pharmacy intern to transfer a drug containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine to a person 18 years of age or older without prescription; reporting of information regarding dispensing of biological products; clarifying the use of telepharmacy and permitting a pharmacist to delegate to a pharmacy technician final verification of prescribed drug and drug dosage, device, or product

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy has adopted the following rules: 

April 22, 2022, Temporary Rules Noticed Pursuant to 2022 HB 4034 (Signed by Gov. Kate Brown (D) on March 23, 2022) – Effective April 22, 2022 through October 18, 2022

Divisions 006/019/025/041 – related to Certified Oregon Pharmacy and Technician/Pharmacy Technician Final Verification  - defines “final verification”, amends “General Responsibilities of a Pharmacist” and adds Pharmacy Technician after Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician.
Division 041 – related to Telework – adds or/and Pharmacy Technician after Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician and adds configuration and records requirements for telework.
Division 080 – related to Pseudoephedrine/Ephedrine & Interns – adds “intern” so that an intern may transfer a drug containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine.
Division 139 – related to RDSP [Remote Dispensing Site Pharmacy] – amends certain requirements.

The Board also permanently adopted the following rules – effective April 20, 2022 – at the April 2022 Board Meeting: 

Divisions 006/041/139 – related to Definitions – amends “supervision by a pharmacist” related to telework situations and moves some definitions in Division 041/139 to Division 006.
Division 020 – related to COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test Protocol – adds “COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test Protocol” into the “Protocol Compendium”.
Divisions 020/041/065/139 related to Alarm, Audiovisual Communication, Entry & Surveillance Systems – updates and defines terms.
Divisions 021/025/110 – related to Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician & Pharmacy Technician Licensure – amends pharmacy technician and certified Oregon pharmacy technician licensure rules, including application and renewal or reinstatement requirements, license fees and continuing education.
Division 041 – related to Disclosure of Patient Information – amends prohibited practices related to disclosure of patient information, including accessing or obtaining patient information unless it is for the purpose of patient care.
Division 041/139 – related to Accurate Pharmacy Hours & Temporary Pharmacy Closures – requires pharmacies to post accurate hours of operation and updates due to a temporary or permanent closure.
Division 080 – related to Schedule I Exceptions – related to marijuana, THC and Cannabis family Cannabaceae.
Division 143 – related to Pharmacy Prescription Lockers (PPLs) – establishes a new drug outlet type (“Pharmacy Prescription Lockers (PPLs)”) and permits a pharmacy to operate a PPL.

Finally in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority issued a temporary rule, effective April 27, 2022, through June 25, 2022, amending prior authorization approval criteria guide effective May 1, 2022. These amendments are based upon Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) Committee recommendations on April 7.

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

Michael Silber2022-05-06T10:11:58-04:00May 6, 2022|Oregon|

Pennsylvania

The Board of Pharmacy has published its agenda for the May 10 meeting. The meeting will be held in a hybrid format and information for joining is included in the agenda.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Michael Silber2022-05-06T10:10:27-04:00May 6, 2022|Pennsylvania|