Mississippi

Mississippi Board of Pharmacy has issued the below final rules:

  • Final rule amends regulations under Title 30, Part 3001, Article IV to change to two hours the number of required continuing education hours that a licensed pharmacist must take that address opioid abuse. The rule is effective May 10, 2021.
  • Final rule amends regulations under Title 30, Part 3001, to provide for the licensure of pharmacists who are military members or spouses licensed out-of-state. The rule is effective May 10, 2021.
  • Final rule amends regulations under Title 30, Part 3001, Article VII, to require a pharmacist in charge to be physically at a facility for at least 50% of the time or 20 hours per week. The rule also requires that a permit for a pharmacy becomes inactive if an application for a new pharmacist in charge is not submitted within 15 days. The rule is effective May 10, 2021.
  • Final rule amends regulations under Title 30, Part 3001, Article XX, to revise requirements for partial filling of Schedule II controlled substances to conform to federal standards. The rule is effective May 10, 2021.
  • Mississippi Board of Pharmacy has proposed the below rules:
  • Proposed rule would amend regulations under Title 30, Part 3001, to clarify licensing requirements for pharmacy benefit managers. Comments are due April 25, 2021.
  • Proposed rule would amend regulations under Title 30, Part 3001, to remove the requirement for pharmacy technicians to become recertified before renewal. Comments are due April 25, 2021.

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

2021-04-16T10:00:54-04:00April 16, 2021|Mississippi|

Missouri

The Board of Pharmacy held a two-day meeting this week. Among the items discussed were updated on pending legislation that impacts pharmacies and a general discussion on pharmacy workforce conditions.

Also in Missouri, on March 3, CMS approved a SPA to allow pharmacists to bill MO HealthNet for all services within their scope of practice.  The effective date was retroactive to January 1, 2021.  More information can be found here.

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

2021-04-16T09:58:22-04:00April 16, 2021|Missouri|

New Mexico

The Board of Pharmacy issued a proposed rule establishing standards for pharmacist prescribing of protocol formulary dangerous drugs and prescribing of dangerous drugs in conjunction with point-of-care testing. The rule also revises the definition of “hormonal contraception drug therapy” to include formulary products delineated in the written contraception protocol, including emergency contraception, and clarifies reporting of vaccine administration. The Board will hold a virtual hearing during their April 22-23 meeting.

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

2021-04-16T09:55:37-04:00April 16, 2021|New Mexico|

North Carolina

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has no-cost antigen tests they would like to share with retail businesses that are interested in screening their employees for COVID-19. The Department of Health and Human Services will also arrange an orientation call with any NCRMA member to discuss what you need to do to request and receive the free tests from DHHS. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has a supply of Abbott BinaxNOW rapid, point-of-care antigen testing supplies available to support testing efforts to quickly identify and respond to cases of COVID-19. Facilities interested in receiving tests from the state must meet ALL the following requirements:

Request process: All facilities that meet the above requirements may apply to request tests via the request form.

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

2021-04-16T09:53:23-04:00April 16, 2021|North Carolina|

North Dakota

Gov. Doug Burgum (R) signed several bills of interest to chain pharmacy as emergency measures:

  • SB 2221, lowering the age for immunizations and vaccinations to at least three years of age upon an order from a prescriber or by written protocol with a physicians or nurse practitioner; permitting a pharmacist to bill for dispensing a one-time emergency refill of up to a 30-day supply of the prescribed medication under certain conditions, and defining “public health issues” and establishing limited prescriptive authority through a statewide protocol for public health issues within the pharmacist’s scope of practice with the Board of Pharmacy adopting rules to establish standards of care, was signed on March 22.
  • SB 2279, permitting the Board of Pharmacy to adopt rules to establish requirements to allow a pharmacy technician to administer a drug under the immediate supervision of a pharmacist, was signed on March 25.

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

2021-07-26T09:32:11-04:00April 16, 2021|North Dakota|

South Carolina

The Board of Pharmacy published a notice to announce the reiteration of certain emergency orders issued in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, including the suspension of the prohibition on performing remote order entry from an unpermitted site, the temporary authorization of automated pharmacy pickup kiosks, and the establishment of safe harbor provisions concerning personal protective equipment. The notice also reiterates the authorization of a one-time early refill of Schedule III, IV, and V prescriptions for valid refills, and the dispensing of Schedule II controlled substances under specified conditions.

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

2021-04-16T09:50:17-04:00April 16, 2021|South Carolina|

Texas

The House Public Health Committee held hearings on two bills supported by NACDS members: HB 678 by Rep. Phil Cortez (D) that amends existing laws making permanent pharmacists’ authority to initiate, order, and administer childhood vaccines to anyone 3 and older without a prescription, and HB 2049 by Rep. Donna Howard (D) that would allow pharmacists to test and treat for flu and strep. NACDS members are encouraged to call the House Public Health Committee members to urge them to vote both bills out of the Committee so they can be set for a vote by the House of Representatives.

Photo Caption – (L-R) NACDS chain pharmacists Casey Nichols with Walgreens, Jeff Loesch with Kroger Health, and Aimee Lusson with Walgreens meet with immunization bill sponsor Rep. Phil Cortez in the Texas State Capitol after the House Public Health Committee hearing.

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission is hosting two vaccine webinars:

  • Actively Administering & Advanced VAOS Users – For COVID-19 vaccine coordinators and providers who have received allocations of the COVID-19 vaccine and are actively administering the vaccines. Discussions will focus on important news updates, clinical considerations, and advanced user tips on the systems and processes to support you.
    • April 20, 12:00PM-1:30PM CT – Register here
    • April 27, 12:00PM-1:30PM CT – Register here
  • Basics & Beginners -For providers who are new to the COVID-19 vaccine management program and/or have not yet received allocations of the vaccine. Discussions will focus on important news updates, the enrollment process, how to access VAOS, and how to get started with requesting allocations.
    • April 22, 12:00PM-1:30PM CT – Register here

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

2021-04-16T09:49:28-04:00April 16, 2021|Texas|

Virginia

The Board of Pharmacy has asked that we remind members that the emergency rule requiring pharmacy technician trainees to be enrolled in a training program upon registration with the Board became effective January 3.

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

2021-04-16T09:47:38-04:00April 16, 2021|Virginia|

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