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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Executive Order No. 21-18 Continued Waivers to Facilitate Hospital Planning and Ensure Additional HealthCare Workforce Capacity expired on March 31. Executive Order No. 21-18 extended Executive Order 21-15 Further Health Care Workforce Capacity that permitted pharmacists to have any number of pharmacist interns and pharmacy technicians under their supervision when administering vaccinations. Beginning April 1, the ratio reverts to pre-pandemic levels.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Statewide standing orders issued by Dr. Betsey Tilson, State Health Director, for the administration of nicotine replacement, contraceptives, post-exposure prophylaxis medications for the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), glucagon for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia, naloxone and COVID related treatments have been updated, organized, and can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Board of Pharmacy’s temporary new address 3812 N. Santa Fe, Suite 300 in Oklahoma City. All upcoming Board meetings will be held at the new location.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.