Nebraska

The next meeting of the Medicaid DUR Board Meeting will be held on July 13.  

 Also in Nebraska, given the expansion of testing availability throughout the state and decreased volume of specimens submitted to Test Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced that Test Nebraska will no longer be collecting COVID-19 specimens after July 18.  

Finally in Nebraska, Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) announced the end of the coronavirus state of emergency at 11:59 p.m. on June 30. The Governor issued Executive Order (EO) 21-09 to rescind pandemic-related executive orders. With a few exceptions, the coronavirus executive orders will expire on July 30, which is thirty days after the state of emergency ends. NACDS researched and identified the following as impacting pharmacies, pharmacists, interns and/or technicians and expiring on July 30. 

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

2021-07-09T11:18:33-04:00July 9, 2021|Nebraska|

North Carolina

The Board of Pharmacy announces a notice to issue a temporary rule that would adopt regulations under 21 NCAC 46 to establish standards under which a pharmacist can administer long-acting injectable pharmaceuticals formulated to produce sustained release and gradual absorption. The rule also would establish recordkeeping requirements. A hearing is scheduled for August 2 by teleconference. Comments are due August 3.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2021-07-09T11:17:09-04:00July 9, 2021|North Carolina|

Ohio

On June 30, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed HB 110, the biennial state budget bill. Included in the bill is a total of $15 million ($5,000,000 in Fiscal Year 2022 and $10,150,000 in Fiscal Year 2023) to continue funding for the Medicaid managed care pharmacy supplemental dispensing fees.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

2021-07-09T11:16:24-04:00July 9, 2021|Ohio|

Oklahoma

REMINDER: The Board of Pharmacy cancelled all the COVID waivers effective July 1. If there is a need for a COVID waiver, then a request to reapply must be made to the board.  

Also in Oklahoma, beginning July 1, the Board of Pharmacy transitioned to an online system where all new licenses and license renewals must be paid for through the Board’s online store. The Board will only accept credit card payments (Mastercard or Visa) or Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT). For additional information, contact the Board. 

Lastly in Oklahoma, the Board issued this reminder that the law on E-Scripts and OBNDD (Oklahoma Board of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs) prescription pads does not apply to prescribers practicing in a federal facility, including Indian Health Services/Tribal pharmacies. The Board explained this is because prescribers can work there and be licensed in another state and not be licensed in Oklahoma. Furthermore, the Board stated the prescriptions from these federal facilities are legal and appropriate to fill if all other requirements are met. 

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

2021-07-09T11:15:40-04:00July 9, 2021|Oklahoma|

Pennsylvania

The PACE program issued a Bulletin announcing it will reinstate the early refill edit that was temporarily lifted due to COVID-19 concerns. Additionally, the edit allowing a temporary override for quantities greater than 100 and a day’s supply greater than 30 will be removed when PACE is the primary payer. Both will be effective August 2. Questions may be directed to Provider Services at 1-800-835-4080.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

2021-07-09T11:13:53-04:00July 9, 2021|Pennsylvania|

Texas

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) convened a 30-day special session of the Legislature on July 8 to address unfinished business, including election integrity, bail reform and several other issues.  

Also in Texas, in advance of the August 3 quarterly board meeting, the Board of Pharmacy is seeking comments by July 27 on several proposed rules: 

  • Proposed rule updating the internship hours requirement to reflect the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education requirement.  
  • Proposed rule increasing the pharmacist initial license fee from $332 to $360 and the biennial renewal fee from $329 to $357.  
  • Proposed rule increasing the pharmacy technician initial registration fee from $83 to $84 and the biennial renewal fee from $80 to $81.
  • Proposed rule increasing the pharmacy initial license fee from $507 to $538 and the biennial renewal fee from $504 to $535.
  • Proposed rule allowing Class A or Class C pharmacies to provide remote pharmacy services using an automated disposing and delivery system.  

Also in Texas, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is encouraging vaccine providers to participate in weekly webinars on Tuesdays from Noon-1:30 PM Central time. Preregister for the upcoming July 13 webinar here. Highlights from past webinars are available online COVID-19 Vaccine Providers Webinars page. 

Finally in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) maintains a Specialty Drug List (SDL) for Medicaid Managed Care (MCO). Currently, HHSC reviews and adjusts the drug list quarterly. VDP is proposing changing the SDL publication schedule from quarterly to twice a year, giving MCOs more time to finalize contracts with pharmacies in their specialty networks. VDP is soliciting comments on this draft policy change by July 19 at 5:00 p.m. to the VDP Operations.

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

2021-07-09T15:30:29-04:00July 9, 2021|Texas|

Wyoming

Effective June 16, the Board of Pharmacy amended regulations under Chapter 16 adding vaccines approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for COVID-19 and allowing the administration of vaccines to children and healthy adults in accordance with current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended vaccine schedules.  

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

2021-07-09T11:09:56-04:00July 9, 2021|Wyoming|

California

On June 11, 2021, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed Executive Order (EO) N-08-21, rolling back the provisions of numerous Executive Orders previously issued in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Among these is the provision in paragraph 4 of EO N-55-20 that included the pharmacy waived delivery restriction that will expire June 30, 2021. Effective July 1, 2021, beneficiaries and clients, or their representatives, will need to sign for medications in person from their home or sign onsite at their provider location for all Department of Health Care Services programs. 

Also in California, as a reminder, the Remote Processing (BPC section 4071.1(a)) limited waiver will expire on June 30, 2021.  Note: although the waiver is expiring, persons or entities may request a site-specific waiver from the Board. 

Also in California, on June 11, 2021, the Department of Health issued the State Public Health Officer Order of June 11, 2021, mandating various requirements as of June 15, 2021. The order replaces the previous pandemic public health orders with limited requirements related to face coverings, mega events and child and youth environments. 

Also in California, NACDS and the California Retailers Association submitted a letter to the Senate Business, Professions & Economic Development Committee expressing opposition to AB 1533, the Board of Pharmacy sunset bill, unless it is amended to modify and clarify the provisions allowing the Board of Pharmacy to levy penalties of up to $1 million on chain pharmacies that would be excessive and disproportionate to the violations in question.  

Also in California, the Office of Administrative Law has approved a proposal to add section 1747 to Title 16 of the Code of Regulations, regarding independent authority to furnish HIV Preexposure and Postexposure Prophylaxis and the order of adoption has been posted. The new regulation was effective June 8, 2021. 

Also in California, the Office of Administrative Law has approved a proposal to add section 1717.5 in Article 2 of Division 17 of Title 16 of the Code of Regulations, regarding Automatic Refill Programs and the order of adoption has been posted. The new regulation is effective July 1, 2022. 

Lastly in California, the California Privacy Protection Agency Board, created by Proposition 24, held its first board meeting on June 14, 2021. The meeting focused on how to staff the agency as they organize it to get up and running. All board members agreed that a monthly meeting was necessary; however, no specific meeting date was provided.

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

2021-06-25T09:29:25-04:00June 25, 2021|California|

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