On November 3 NACDS and the Minnesota Retailers Association will co-host a virtual discussion concerning legislation that would give pharmacists the authority to prescribe HIV preexposure and postexposure prophylaxis. If you would like to join the discussion, please email Jill McCormack for meeting sign in information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Dept. of Health and Human Services has posted the DUR Board November 9, 2021, meeting agenda and DUR Policy Statements (as of July 2021); see links below.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The New Jersey Board of Pharmacy proposed to adopt regulations under NJAC 13:39-1 to require pharmacy permit holders and registered pharmacists-in-charge to implement a continuous quality improvement program to prevent prescription errors.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH) has initiated its Statewide Formulary for Opioid Dependence Agents and Opioid Antagonists. In a meeting this week with the New York State pharmacy community, the department recognized that there still are some issues with supply and Medicaid Managed Care plans, including pharmacy reimbursement concerns. NYSDOH mentioned a concern about a general lack of awareness by bench pharmacists of this change and strongly urged all pharmacies to send the DOH update to all pharmacy staff.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Governor Roy Cooper (D) has issued Executive Order 236, which was introduced to amend Executive Orders 130, 139, and 193 and extend Executive Order 152 as well as waive regulations to expedite the administration of COVID-19 vaccines. The new order removes licensing requirements for medical personnel for assisting with vaccine administration and directs the State Health Director to continue all programs that have been previously implemented for the purpose of disease prevention, protection, reporting, and detection. This order extends the order to require the State Health Director to issue statewide standing orders needed to facilitate COVID-19 vaccination and testing, as well as administer monoclonal antibody treatment. This order is effective immediately and will expire on January 5, 2022.
Also in North Carolina, the next Board of Pharmacy election is scheduled to begin November 1, 2021 and North Carolina pharmacists will vote to fill two positions. Voting coincides with the license renewal period and will run from November 1, 2021 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 Board of Pharmacy published its October 2021 Newsletter and a clarification of Article 21.53.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Ohio Department of Health (ODM) has published provider guidance regarding administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children. Additionally, Providers who were unable to attend the Oct. 19 webinar about ordering pediatric COVID-19 vaccine can view the presentation COVID-19 Vaccine: Pediatric Vaccine Overview and How to Order Doses Through VOMS.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Tennessee Department of Health is now accepting applications for the position of Executive Director of the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy. Interested pharmacists should apply by the closing date of November 2, 2021. For more information CLICK HERE and search for “pharmacy board director”.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Despite the efforts of NACDS, the Texas Federation of Drug Stores (TFDS), the Texas Pharmacy Business Council (TPBC) and other stakeholders to ensure $2.5M in funding for the Texas Board of Pharmacy’s Prescription Monitoring Drug Program’s NarxCare and clinical alerts in SB 8, Rep. John Raney’s (R) amendment we supported was stripped out of the Appropriations bill that passed on the final day of the third special session that ended on Tuesday, October 19th.
Also in Texas, on November 2nd, the Board of Pharmacy will convene in-person to consider 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 Class A-SN designation for community pharmacies compounding both sterile and non-sterile preparations.
Finally in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is seeking stakeholder comments on the agency’s funding needs for their 2023 legislative appropriations budget request. Recommendations must be emailed to CFOStakeholderFeedback@hhs.texas.gov by November 19th.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.