Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) lifted the public health emergency indoor mask mandate, but the Governor is keeping in place face covering requirements for certain K-12 schools, effective October 27.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health and Human Services announced the next weekly COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on November 3 at noon (Central).
Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services added the September 2021 DUR Board draft meeting minutes for approval to the website. Other materials for the DUR Board November 9, 2021, meeting include the agenda and DUR Policy Statements (as of July 2021).
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The next Board of Pharmacy election is scheduled to begin November 1, and North Carolina pharmacists will vote to fill two positions. Voting coincides with the license renewal period and will run from November 1 through March 1, 2022. All pharmacists actively licensed and living in North Carolina at the start of the election will be eligible to vote for both districts. The winners of this election will begin their terms on May 1, 2022. Below is the link to the bios of the candidates in the two districts.
http://www.ncbop.org/election2021WesternDistrictCandidates.html
http://www.ncbop.org/election2021NorthernDistrictCandidates.html
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Medicaid Department will hold a public hearing on November 1 at 9:00 a.m. to consider Rule 5160-8-53. This new rule establishes provider payment for diabetes prevention and self-management training (DSMT) services when provided by physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, registered dietitians and pharmacists. The rule also provides for reimbursement for National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) services but only for physicians, physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses. The proposed effective date of this rule is January 1, 2022. NACDS intends to submit comments supporting the DMST provisions and asking that pharmacists also be included under the NDPP program. Instructions to access the virtual meeting are included in the rule notice.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Board of Pharmacy adopted Temporary Rule OAR 855-007-0088 related to Compliance with Oregon Health Authority’s COVID Rules, effective October 18.
Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy has proposed to permanently adopt numerous rules outlined below. Note: written comments may be submitted via email to pharmacy.rulemaking@bop.oregon.gov before 4:30 p.m. on November 23.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
NACDS reminds members that a new program is available that will reimburse pharmacies for naloxone copays when the pharmacist believes the patient will be hesitant to pick up the prescription due to cost. The Naloxone Copay Assistance Program is funded through federal grants and began October 1, 2021. The program runs on the existing PACE adjudication platform and will reimburse a pharmacy up to $75 per claim for any patient regardless of their insurance plan. In the interest of making the program as seamless as possible for pharmacies to increase access to naloxone, there is no ID patient card or patient criteria to meet. For more details, see the program bulletin and detailed adjudication specifications. It is our understanding that only a handful of claims were submitted in October; if you are experiencing any barriers to utilizing the program or have suggestions to increase uptake, please contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-525-8962 or jmccormack@nacds.org.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
TN Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Program’s (VPDIP’s) 2nd Annual Virtual Immunization Summit, scheduled for November 17, is a free educational event for healthcare professionals playing significant roles in immunization activities.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Board of Pharmacy posted the November 2 meeting agendaand meeting materials. Of interest to chain pharmacies are the possibility of final adoption of proposed rules that would create two new classes of pharmacy, Class A-N for community pharmacies compounding certain non-sterile preparations and the Class A-SN designation for community pharmacies compounding both sterile and non-sterile preparations. Interest parties were asked to submit comments in advance of the meeting.
Also in Texas, despite the collaborative efforts of NACDS, the Texas Federation of Drug Stores (TFDS), the Texas Pharmacy Business Council (TPBC) and other stakeholders during both the regular session earlier this year and most recently during the third special session, the legislative budget conference committees failed to extend the $2.5M funding for the Texas State Board of Pharmacy’s Prescription Monitoring Program’s (PMP) NarxCare integration and clinical alerts. While this means the free access through the Appriss Health PMP Gateway has been discontinued, pharmacists and other prescribers that are required to check the patient’s PMP history before dispensing or prescribing opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates or carisoprodol can still access the system through their free PMP AWARxE account.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy’s Regulation Committee will meet on November 4 at 9:00 a.m. to consider amendments to Chapter 20, Section 25 (Unprofessional Conduct). These amendments address workforce issues, e.g., breaks and staffing. For more details, please see the proposed language in the agenda.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.