Maine
The Maine Board of Pharmacy released the minutes from its August 5 meeting. The next zoom Board meeting will be October 7 at 8:30 am.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Massachusetts:
MassHealth recently released its pharmacy providers newsletter. This edition of MassHealth Pharmacy Facts addresses Durable Medical Equipment and Inhalers.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Montana
The Board of Pharmacy has scheduled the following meetings:
- Screening Panel on September 23 (Executive Session-Closed)
- Adjudication Panel on September 24 (Prior to full Board)
- Full Board on September 24 (Open Via Teleconference Only) – Note: Full agenda will be posted on the Board Events website within 10 days of the meeting date with changes permitted up to three days prior to the meeting date.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Nebraska
The Board of Pharmacy met in-person earlier this week on September 13 and distributed the draft meeting minutes from its two prior meetings held on July 26 and August 16. NACDS will share the draft meeting minutes from the September meeting once available.
Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued several updates:
- The next COVID-19 Provider call will take place on September 22 at noon. Information to access the call has been posted on the DHHS website.
- Provider Bulletin 21-19 includes information related to the following:
- Full approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for individuals ages 16 and older, which does not change the reimbursement rate;
- Coverage of an additional dose of some COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised individuals; and
- A change in the number of additional fees that can be reimbursed for at-home vaccine administration.
- Provider Bulletin 21-18 includes a reminder that effective October 1, Heritage Health Adult will move from a two-tier benefit system to a single benefit package, including comprehensive physical and behavioral healthcare as well as vision, dental and over-the-counter drug coverage. A series of one-hour educational webinars have been scheduled for providers regarding these changes. See bulletin for dates and times.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
North Carolina
The Board of Pharmacy issued the following information concerning a change to the federal PREP Act authorizing pharmacists “to order and administer,” and qualified pharmacy technicians and interns “to administer” select COVID-19 therapeutics to patient populations authorized by the FDA including monoclonal antibody combinations.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
North Dakota
The Board of Pharmacy distributed its September 2021 newsletter. Highlights include the following. Please see newsletter for details and additional information.
- DEA issued a direct final rule amending its regulations that either the purchaser or the supplier may enter a supplier’s DEA registration number on the single-sheet DEA Form 222 effective October 18.
- Drug Supply Chain Security Act Updates
- SB 2221 – Practice Changes – previously published in the June 2021 newsletter with edits
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Oregon
The Board of Pharmacy filed a temporary rule effective September 1, 2021 through February 27, 2022, adding COVID-19 monoclonal antibody protocol to the Protocol Compendia based on the Public Health & Pharmacy Formulary Advisory Committee recommendation.
Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy Rules Advisory Committee will meet via teleconference on September 23 to discuss technician rules. Information to participate by phone is printed in the agenda.
Also in Oregon, the Public Health and Pharmacy Formulary Advisory Committee will meet on September 24. Topics of interest include pseudoephedrine, PEP/PrEP and vaccines. See agenda for details.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Department of Health has issued a new regulation which requires that all employees, interns and volunteers in RIDOH licensed healthcare facilities and all RIDOH licenses healthcare providers must receive their final dose of COVID19 vaccines by October 1, 2021. The regulation applies to all individuals who in RIDOH licensed Health care facilities AND all licensed healthcare providers, whether they work in a licensed facility or not. The Department of Health has developed an FAQ which will be updated as needed.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
South Carolina
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will reimburse for the administration of additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine consistent with the updated emergency use authorization issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More information can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.