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.
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:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
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.
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.
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.
The May 20, 2021, Continuing Education Rules Advisory Committee meeting agenda is now available.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
NACDS reminds members that on March 29 the new Acting Physician General Denise Johnson signed a new standing order for naloxone. All prescriptions using the standing order from former Secretary of Health Levine or former Acting Physician General Braund, and any remaining refills on those prescriptions are null and void.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
On May 6, HB678 by Rep. Phil Cortez (D), overwhelmingly passed the House by a vote of 139-7. HB678, supported by NACDS, allows pharmacists to independently order, and both pharmacists and technicians to administer, all immunizations to anyone 3 years of age or older without a prescription. The bill will now be heard by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. NACDS members are urged to call their State Senator to ask them to HB678 expanding access to immunizations by permanently removing existing administrative barriers.
Also in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy launched a new podcast for Board news and updates. The first episode covers the November 2020 and February 2021 Board meeting rule adoptions, along with recent Board news and an important scam alert. www.pharmacy.texas.gov/podcast
Laslty in Texas, the Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner John Hellerstedt is encouraging vaccine providers to order additional COVID-19 vaccines as needed as the state is now receiving about 1.5 million a week. Texas has now administered more than 18.3 million doses of the vaccine. More than 11 million people have received at least one dose, and over 7.9 million are now fully vaccinated. covidvaccine.texas.gov.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health, Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission adopted regulations allowing retired pharmacists to apply for a retired active pharmacist license status and practice pharmacy under certain conditions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.