In The States – Page 180 – Weekly news about states

Wisconsin

Effective immediately, Dr. Jasmine Zapata is the new Wisconsin physician signing the Statewide Standing order for Naloxone. You must use Dr. Zapata’s prescriber number going forward as Dr. Jon Meiman’s prescriber number can no longer be used. In addition, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has updated its web pages.

Under this new standing order, there are new resources available through the enhanced Dose of Reality Initiative. Patient education regarding overdose recognition and naloxone administration can be found on the following web pages:

Review common questions about opioids and address risk factors that can put someone at increased risk of overdose: Dose of Reality: Get the Facts on Opioids
Provide an overview of how to recognize an overdose and the proper procedure to respond to an overdose: Dose of Reality: Overdose
Discuss how to administer naloxone and when: Dose of Reality: Safer Use
Discuss how to safely dispose of opioids and other unused prescription medication: Dose of Reality: Safe Disposal

If you have questions, reach out to: DHSOpioids@dhs.wisconsin.gov

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

Michael Silber2022-04-22T09:08:11-04:00April 22, 2022|Wisconsin|

Arkansas

Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced that the Secretary of Health Dr. Jose Romero is resigning on May 6^th to take a job with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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

Erica Joyner2022-04-08T12:19:58-04:00April 8, 2022|Arkansas|

Arizona

On March 30, Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed HB 2490 (Chapter 98), providing clarity for collaborative practice agreements including requirements, rules, and definitions.

Also in Arizona, on March 24, Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed HB 2612 (Chapter 59), removing certain occupational licensing requirements and regulations that applicants/persons must be “of good moral character” to be approved for certain licenses and certifications including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Finally, in Arizona, on March 25, Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed SB 1639 (Chapter 78), that requires integrating a medical practitioner’s electronic medical records system with the state’s Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program (CSPMP) central database tracking system either directly or through the statewide health information exchange or a third-party vendor, by December 31, 2026.

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

Erica Joyner2022-04-08T12:18:34-04:00April 8, 2022|Arizona|

California

As a reminder regarding the COVID-19 declaration of emergency, the Board of Pharmacy has a webpage dedicated to Pharmacy Law Waivers; interested parties may sign up to receive the Board’s alerts for the most up-to-date information. Also, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) has a webpage dedicated to DCA Waivers and Guidance Documents..

Also in California, as a reminder, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) eased DUR edits in Medi-Cal Rx until May 1. NACDS and the California Retailers Association have been in communication with the DHCS staff to request advance notice be provided to pharmacy providers of the Department’s plans for these DUR edits in advance of May 1.

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

Erica Joyner2022-04-08T12:17:37-04:00April 8, 2022|California|

Georgia

The Georgia Board of Pharmacy is excited to announce and introduce the first installment of a new “Newsletter.” The newsletter will be produced on a quarterly basis and is intended to provide insights and updates on the profession of pharmacy in Georgia. The newsletter will also be posted on the GBOP website for easy access as well. Since the newsletter is a new resource, the Board asks that you please distribute it to others in your organization or staff.

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

Erica Joyner2022-04-08T12:16:40-04:00April 8, 2022|Georgia|

Iowa

The Board of Pharmacy published the following Notices of Intended Action. Written comments may be submitted until 4:30 p.m. on April 26. A public hearing will be held at 10:00 a.m. on April 27 at the offices of the Board and via Zoom.

ARC 6279C– amending Chapter 3, “Pharmacy Technicians” and Chapter 6, “General Pharmacy Practice to permit remote processing
ARC 6280C – amending Chapter 12, “Precursor Substances” to add one chemical as a precursor substance in response to similar action taken by the DEA.
ARC 6182C – amending Chapter 8, “Universal Practice Standards,” and Chapter 19, “Nonresident Pharmacy Practice” to provide modification of the handling of ownership changes, add requirements for nonresident pharmacies and other changes.

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

Erica Joyner2022-04-08T12:15:04-04:00April 8, 2022|Iowa|

Missouri

In advance of the April 12^th Senate Insurance and Banking hearing on HCR HB 1677, NACDS submitted a letter supporting certain provisions of the legislation that would strengthen Missouri’s PBMs laws to enhance patients’ ability to receive pharmacy care from their pharmacy of choice and improve provisions for fair and equitable standards for the management of pharmacy benefits. In our letter, NACDS specifically called out support for the provisions that would prohibit PBMs from preventing, penalizing or restricting patients’ ability to obtain services from a contracted pharmacy; the provisions that would enhance the appeals process to requiring PBMs to increase a pharmacy’s reimbursement in instances when reimbursement is found to be below a pharmacy’s cost for purchasing a drug; and the provisions that would prevent PBMs from imposing unwarranted fees on claims related to administering a health plan.

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

Erica Joyner2022-04-08T12:14:15-04:00April 8, 2022|Missouri|

Nebraska

Executive Order No. 22-02 — Continued Waivers to Facilitate Hospital Planning and Ensure Additional Healthcare Workforce Capacity — states “Executive Order No. 21-15, which is currently scheduled to expire on March 31, 2022, per [E]xecutive [O]rder No. 21-18, shall remain in effect through September 30, 2022.” See item 6 in Executive Order No. 21-15 suspending Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-2866.01 and its implementing regulations “in order to permit pharmacists to have any number of pharmacist interns and pharmacy technicians under their supervision insofar as they determine it necessary within their professional discretion when administering vaccinations”.

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the next COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on May 4 at noon (Central).

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

Erica Joyner2022-04-08T12:13:10-04:00April 8, 2022|Nebraska|

New York

The State Education Department regulation expanding the pharmacist immunization authority which took effect on January 31, 2022, is set to expire on April 10. At the last Board of Regents meeting, the Board took emergency action effective April 11 to keep the regulation in effect until it can be permanently adopted at the Board May Meeting.

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

Erica Joyner2022-04-08T12:12:02-04:00April 8, 2022|New York|