In The States – Page 197 – Weekly news about states

Utah

The Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing temporarily suspended enforcement of the e-prescribing requirement effective January 1, 2022.

Also in Utah, the Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing issued an emergency rule amending regulations R156-37f to require pharmacists to report the prescription origin code (DSP12) to the state’s-controlled substance database. The emergency rule was effective January 1, 2022, and expires May 1, 2022.

Also in Utah, the Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing published a final rule amending regulations under R156-17b to update pharmacy practice standards and requirements for transfer of a legend prescription and dispensing of emergency prescriptions. Among its various changes, the rule also defines “consulting pharmacist,” “designated representative,” and “responsible individual,” and updates standards for compounding relating to flavoring agents. It was published on February 1 in the “Utah State Bulletin” Vol. 2022, No. 3, p. 367. The revised “Pharmacy Practice Act Rule” has been posted to the website.

Finally in Utah, the Board of Pharmacy will meet on February 22 and has posted an agenda. The Board also announced a meeting for March 22; agenda is pending.

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

Michael Silber2022-02-11T11:27:03-05:00February 11, 2022|Utah|

Virginia

HB 1323, sponsored by Del. Orrock (R) was reported from the House Health, Welfare, and Institutions Committee this week. The bill, a priority for NACDS, would continue the immunization authority extended to pharmacies by the PREP Act when the Federal Public Health Emergency expires. The bill was amended in committee with language negotiated with the pediatric community regarding physician notification and providing patient follow up in the rare event of an adverse reaction. The bill now goes to the full House for consideration.

Also in Virginia, to increase accessibility of at-home COVID-19 test kits, VDH has developed a Standing Order to help pharmacies be able to adjudicate test kit claims and receive reimbursement. It has also been posted on the VDH website. Please note that DMAS published their coverage of at-home COVID-19 test kits policy at the end of last week.

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

Michael Silber2022-02-11T11:26:13-05:00February 11, 2022|Virginia|

Washington

Legislation of concern to pharmacies that mandates prescription label translations was amended for a second time on the House floor and approved by the full House. NACDS will work with other pharmacy groups on the Senate side to get the House Health Care and Wellness Committee Substitute language restored. (HB 1852)

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

Michael Silber2022-02-11T11:25:03-05:00February 11, 2022|Washington|

Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services has added two drugs, Crotonyl Fentanyl and Remimazolam, to the controlled substance list.

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

Michael Silber2022-02-11T11:23:30-05:00February 11, 2022|Wisconsin|

Alaska

The Board of Pharmacy proposed rules updating qualifications and for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacies, outsourcing facilities, wholesale drug distributors, and third-party logistics providers requirements to apply for an emergency permit and renewal application requirements. It also repeals the emergency courtesy license and establishes temporary courtesy licenses for an active-duty military member or their spouse.

Also in Alaska, the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (CBPL) conducted a thorough fee analysis and is proposing a decrease in licensing fees for pharmacist, pharmacy technician, and certain pharmacy licenses.

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

Michael Silber2022-02-04T11:32:57-05:00February 4, 2022|Alaska|

Arizona

The Board of Pharmacy is scheduled to meet February 9-10. Once available, the agenda will be posted on the website.

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

Michael Silber2022-02-04T11:32:14-05:00February 4, 2022|Arizona|

California

The following alerts have been posted to the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: 

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) provided the following information related to over the counter COVID-19 testing:

DHCS Communications – Stakeholder News
Medi-Cal Rx Coverage of Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Antigen Test Kits
List of Covered Emergency Use of Authorization (EUA) COVID-19 Antigen Tests (Note: the information at the top of the spreadsheet regarding reimbursement and dispensing of test kits.)
Department of Health Care Services’ Medical Director’s Prescribing Order COVID-19 Testing Accessibility for Over-the-Counter, FDA-authorized, Self-Administered COVID-19 Antigen Tests for All Eligible Medi-Cal Beneficiaries

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services adjusted the release date of the Med-Cal Managed Care Plan (MCP) Request for Proposal (RFP) from February 2 to February 9. Note: this adjustment will not affect the implementation date of January 2, 2024.

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy took the following actions during its recent public meeting held January 27-28. A complete list of actions is available here.

Voted to modify language and initiate a 15-day comment period on the modified text for Title 16, California Code of Regulations (CCR), sections 1793.5, 1793.6, and 1793.65, related to Pharmacy Technician Application.

15-Day Comment Period: January 28 to February 12
Notice of Modified Text
Modified Text
Voted to modify language and initiate a 15-day comment period on the modified text for CCR section 1708.1, related to Notification of Temporary Closure.
15-Day Comment Period: January 28 to February 12
Notice of Modified Text
Modified Text
Voted to modify language and initiate a 15-day comment period on the modified text for CCR section 1715.65, related to Inventory Reconciliation.
15-Day Comment Period: January 28 to February 12
Notice of Second Modified Text
Second Modified Text

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy issued an AMENDED WAIVER: Prescriber Dispensing of COVID-19 Antiviral Medication to an Emergency Room Patient.

Also in California, AB (Assembly Bill) 1400, legislation that would have implemented single payer in the state, will not advance this year. It did not have enough votes to pass out of the Assembly so the author (Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D)) decided not to bring it up for a vote.

Finally in California, last Friday, Attorney General Rob Bonta announced investigations into business operating loyalty programs and send notices regarding noncompliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

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

Michael Silber2022-02-04T11:31:31-05:00February 4, 2022|California|

Florida

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) is in the process of updating the 2022 fee schedules, which includes updates to procedure codes and reimbursement rates for services provided in the fee-for-service Medicaid delivery system. The Agency’s fee schedule drafts are available on the Agency’s website here.

Prior to initiating the rule making process, the Agency is requesting feedback from providers regarding inconsistencies or discrepancies that may be present in the draft fee schedules. Feedback may be provided through this survey link. The link will be active until 5:00pm EST on February 7, 2021.

The purpose of this exercise is to identify any errors in the fee schedules. It is not an opportunity to request increases in the reimbursement rates, unless there is a valid concern that an error occurred in developing this year’s rates.

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

Michael Silber2022-02-04T11:29:26-05:00February 4, 2022|Florida|

Georgia

Text replaced here!GPhA (Georgia Pharmacy Association) is offering Immunization Delivery Training for Pharmacy Technicians, a six-hour CE program consisting of both home-study and live training. Under HHS authorization (PREP Act 10.20.20) trained pharmacy technicians can administer certain vaccines under the supervision and authorization of a pharmacist.

GPhA is offering live training on Saturday, February 19, 2022, in Sandy Springs. Space is limited so do not wait. More information can be found here.

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

Michael Silber2022-02-04T11:28:36-05:00February 4, 2022|Georgia|