Alabama
The newest Medicaid ALERT regarding COVID-19 “At Home” Tests billed through pharmacy can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
California
The Board of Pharmacy distributed the following:
- COVID-19 Vaccine Updates for Pharmacists
- Joint Statement on Western States Recommendation of Expanded Pfizer – BioNTech Booster Eligibility for 12- to 15-Year Olds
- Statement Regarding Dispensing Prescriptions Not Transmitted Electronically
- Information and Additional Resources Regarding e-Prescribing Requirements
Also in California, the following alerts have been posted to the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
- Medi-Cal Rx Coverage of OTC COVID-19 Antigen Test Kits (January 26)
- Prior Authorization Required: Reject Code 75 (January 26)
Finally in California, the Office of Administrative Law has approved amendments to the following regulations:
- Pharmacists Initiating and Administering Vaccines. (Effective immediately)
- Address Change Notification. (Effective April 1)
- Ownership, Management, and Control of Pharmacies and Other Regulated Business Entities. (Effective April 1)
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Colorado
On February 14, the Board of Pharmacy is holding a Joint Stakeholder meeting to allow interested parties to provide feedback on the proposed revisions to the Statewide Protocol for Prescribing Hormonal Contraceptive Patches and Oral Contraceptives, and the Colorado Self-Screening Contraception Risk Assessment Questionnaire
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Illinois
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted a new Provider Notice regarding Emergency Instructions for COVID-19 Home Test Kits. You may view the new Notice here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Indiana
Currently the Health Commissioner of the State Department of Health or the Commissioner’s designated public health authority can issue standing orders, prescriptions, or protocols to administer or dispense certain immunizations for individuals who are at least 11 years old. SB 3, a bill that includes a provision that would lower the age limit to five years old, passed Third Reading in the Senate and now advances to the House for further consideration.
Also in Indiana, legislation that would have allowed pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives failed to get heard in the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee. (SB189)
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Iowa
The Department of Public Health published the COVID-19 Therapeutics Information Brief (1.25.22) including the following updates:
- Bamlanvimab/Etesevimab and REGEN-COV no longer authorized for use by FDA
- Allocations for mAbs, PrEP and Antivirals
- Disposal of extra doses of Nirmatrelvir from blister packs for patients with low eGFR
- COVID-19 treatment guidelines when there are logistical or supply constraints
- Patient prioritization for outpatient Anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapies with supply constraints
- FDA expands use of REMDESIVIR
- COVID-19 treatment guidelines for Evusheld
The next Therapeutics Information Brief will be February 2.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Louisiana
The Board of Pharmacy’s Regulation Revision Committee will meet in Baton Rouge on February 2nd to consider several legislative proposals including changing the age thresholds in pharmacy immunization law to match age thresholds in PREP Act. [01-12-2022] Consideration of Legislative Proposal 2022-H ~ Immunizations (Draft #1) If approved by the Committee, the items will be considered by the full Board on February 17th.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Maryland
Gov. Hogan (R) has issued an Executive Order that provides for staffing flexibility to pharmacies as they engage in COVID-19 vaccinations and testing.
Also in Maryland, the Department of Health has published an Advisory regarding Epidolex prescriptions due to a conflict between the federal and state scheduling process.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Massachusetts
MassHealth has released its most recent Fact Sheet to reflect recent modification in regulations regarding oral contraceptives and 340 drugs.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.