West Virginia

The Board of Pharmacy rules package was approved by the legislature via SB 182.  This action authorizes the Board to promulgate legislative rules as outlined below.  All are effective June 11, 2021.

  • 15 CSR 01 – relating to licensure and practice of pharmacist care; adds a new definition of “electronic supervision” and adds “electronic” supervision of a pharmacy technician by a pharmacist to the definition of “pharmacy technician”.  For more background information click here.
  • 15 CSR 02 – relating to the Uniform Controlled Substances Act; adds Schedule V prescriptions to 8.15 Refilling Schedule III, IV, or V prescriptions. For more background information click here.
  • 15 CSR 03 – relating to continuing education requirements for pharmacists to maintain their license to practice pharmacy in the state. For more background information click here.
  • 15 CSR 05 – relating to wholesale distributors, third-party logistics, and manufacturers of prescription drugs. For more background information click here.
  • 15 CSR 08 – relating to the controlled substances monitoring program; adds Schedule V prescriptions and removes gabapentin from list of drugs of concern. For more background information click here.
  • 15 CSR 12 – relating to immunizations administered by pharmacists and pharmacy interns; makes permanent the current emergency rule. For more background information click here.

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

2021-05-21T09:25:21-04:00May 21, 2021|West Virginia|

Wyoming

The Board of Pharmacy issued the following effective May 13.

  • Final rule amending regulations under Commissioner of Drugs and Substances Control Chapter 10 to revise standards for issuing and dispensing prescriptions for controlled substances. The rule exempts from electronic prescribing requirements any controlled substance prescriptions that are to be dispensed from a pharmacy within federal jurisdiction.
  • Final rule amending regulations under Chapter 17 to revise standards for sterile compounding to reflect industry standards. The rule updates definitions specify pharmacy staff training and evaluation requirements and addresses garbing and facility controls.

Also in Wyoming, the Office of the Attorney General issued a final rule amending regulations under Schedule II Controlled Substances, Chapter 1, to add the fentanyl precursor 4-anilino-N-phenethyl-4-piperidine (ANPP) to the list of Schedule II controlled substances effective May 13.

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

2021-05-21T09:24:28-04:00May 21, 2021|Wyoming|

California

Medi-Cal has announced that it will accept pharmacy claims for dates of service on or after April 1, 2021, that use Moderna’s new National Drug Code (NDC) when billing for the administration of either dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.  Details have been posted to the Medi-Cal News area of each provider community page on the Medi-Cal Provider website

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services issued an All Plan Letter 20-022 (Revised) to all Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plans regarding COVID-19 vaccine administration.   In the letter, DHCS indicates, that in addition to arranging appointments for vaccines for homebound members via My Turn, Managed Care Health Plans may also continue to schedule vaccines for homebound members that work best for this population of patients.

Also in California, Medi-Cal announced a temporary increase in COVID-19 durable medical equipment (DME) oxygen and respiratory rates.  Effective for dates of service on or after March 1, 2020, and updated effective January 1, 2021, DME oxygen and respiratory rates are temporarily increased due to the ongoing COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

Also in California, the Global Medi-Cal DUR Board will meet via webinar on May 18, 2021.  The following information has been posted to the DUR Board Meetings page of the Medi-Cal website including the Agenda, Meeting Packet, and Registration.

Also in California, the State Board of Pharmacy elected new officers for terms beginning June 1, 2021, They include the following:  Dr. Seung Oh, President; Dr. Maria Serpa, Vice President; Jignesh “Jig” Patel, Treasurer.

Lastly in California, the State Board of Pharmacy added a teleconference Board Meeting date scheduled for May 27, 2021. The agenda will be posted on the Board’s website 10 days before the meeting.

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

2021-05-14T11:43:35-04:00May 14, 2021|California|

Colorado

The Board of Pharmacy’s Sunset bill  SB21-094, which includes several provisions expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice, therapeutic substitution, prescription adaptation, and ability to order long-acting injectables passed the Senate 35-0. The bill was amended by the House Health and Insurance Committee on a vote of 11-2 on May 12 and now advances to the House Finance Committee.

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

2021-05-14T11:42:19-04:00May 14, 2021|Colorado|

Indiana

Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed into law House Bill 1468 – Various health matters – Indiana General Assembly, 2021 Session by Rep. Steven Davisson, a broad health care provider bill NACDS supported that included the following provisions that impact pharmacy practice:

  • Increases to 8:1 the pharmacy technician-to-pharmacists ratio;
  • Allows pharmacy technicians to work remotely performing certain non-dispensing duties including data entry and insurance processing;
  • Permits pharmacists, pharmacy students, and pharmacy technicians to administer the COVID-19 vaccine according to a prescription, protocol, or standing order in addition to the 11 other vaccination categories listed in statute;
  • Allows pharmacies to transfer unfilled C-II prescriptions;
  • Expands therapeutic substitution under a protocol;
  • Removes the requirement for shared record-keeping systems for pharmacists that engage in a collaborative practice agreement;
  • Delays e-prescribing for controlled substances until January 1, 2022.

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

2021-05-14T11:40:02-04:00May 14, 2021|Indiana|

Iowa

The Board of Pharmacy issued guidance on pharmacy operations under the April 30, 2021, renewed governor’s proclamation of a disaster emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance extends the suspension of certain regulatory provisions established under prior notices through May 30, 2021. As noted in the Board’s response, “… The Board will continue to monitor the situation as additional information is available and make necessary adjustments to provide pharmacy professionals with the guidance needed to navigate the current public health emergency.”

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

2021-05-14T11:38:41-04:00May 14, 2021|Iowa|

Missouri

The Department of Social Services HealthNet Division (DSSHD) issued a rule removing obsolete provisions in addition to referencing new provisions establishing the payment methodology for covered entities under the 340B drug pricing program that choose to carve in Medicaid. DSSHD also adopted regulations establishing the payment methodology for covered entities under the 340B drug pricing program that choose to carve in Medicaid. These rules are effective July 1, 2021, and expire on February 24, 2022.

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

2021-05-14T11:37:33-04:00May 14, 2021|Missouri|

Nevada

SB190 by Sen. Nicole Cannizzaro (D) that NACDS and the Retail Association of Nevada support allowing a pharmacist to dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive under the standing order passed the Senate 21-0 and was heard in the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee on May 10.

Also in Nevada, AB177, legislation NACDS opposed filed by Majority Leader Benitez-Thompson (D) that requires pharmacies to post the rights of patients to demand information that at the request of the patient, pharmacies provide written translations on the prescription label in a language other than English. Despite opposition from NACDS and pharmacists, the bill passed the Assembly by a vote of 26-16. It was referred to the Senate where it was amended on May 11th and is awaiting a vote out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

Also in Nevada, SB229, legislation expanding pharmacy collaborative practice agreements that NACDS and the Retail Association of Nevada support passed the Senate 17-4, was heard in the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee in late April. A second work session was held on May 12. The next step is for the Committee to approve the bill and send it to the full Assembly.

Lastly in Nevada, AB178 by Assemblywoman Hardy allows under certain conditions a pharmacist to fill or refill a prescription in an amount that is greater than the amount authorized by the prescriber but cannot exceed a 30-day supply when a disaster or state of emergency is in effect.

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

2021-05-14T11:36:39-04:00May 14, 2021|Nevada|

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