The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) recently updated the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan. Please click here to view the updated plan. The Department also released its guidance for Phase 1a of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. Click here to view the guidance.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
At their November meeting, the Board of Pharmacy increased the pharmacy-to-pharmacy technician ratio for Class A retail pharmacies from 1:4 to 1:6, effective December 10, 2020. More information can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
According to the Alabama Public Health Department, to receive, administer, and report the COVID-19 vaccine, healthcare providers must enroll in the ImmPRINT COVID-19 Vaccination Program. For more information on enrollment and other vaccine resources for providers, visit the Vaccination Provider Support website at go.usa.gov/x7M53
Also in Alabama. The Department of Public Health published a proposed rule that would amend regulations under AAC 420-7-2 to add tianeptine to the Schedule II list of controlled substances. The rule would replace a September 30, 2020, final rule that is being withdrawn concurrently. Comments are due January 4, 2021.
Also in Alabama. The Board of Pharmacy published a proposed rule that would amend regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to further specify the standards and requirements for approval of hospital and nonhospital pharmacy remote or off-site order entry, where prescriptions are filled by remotely accessing another pharmacy’s electronic database from outside the pharmacy. A hearing is scheduled for February 17, 2021, in Birmingham. Comments are due February 6, 2021.
Also in Alabama. The Medicaid Agency announced a notice of a proposed amendment to the state plan for medical assistance to allow for an update to the pharmacy Value/Outcomes-Based Agreement template to further facilitate the collection of supplemental rebates in addition to the federal drug rebate provided for in Title XIX. Comments are requested, but a due date is not specified.
Lastly in Alabama. All previously published expiration dates related to the COVID-19 emergency are once again extended by the Alabama Medicaid Agency (Medicaid). The new expiration date is the earlier of January 31, 2021, the conclusion of the COVID-19 national emergency, or any expiration date noticed by the Alabama Medicaid Agency through a subsequent ALERT. A listing of previous Provider ALERTs and notices related to the health emergency is available by selecting the Agency’s COVID-19 page in the bottom section which can be accessed at https://medicaid.alabama.gov/news_detail.aspx?ID=13729.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Governor Ned Lamont (D) issued an Executive Order this week authorizing pharmacists to administer COVID and flu vaccinations to all ages effective immediately. More information on this Executive Order can be found here.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The Board of Pharmacy announced a notice of changes to a July 27, 2020, proposed rule that would amend regulations under FAC 64B16-30 to clarify disciplinary guidelines, the range of penalties, and aggravating and mitigating circumstances for pharmacy professionals. The changes reduce the penalty for out-of-state telehealth providers for several infractions, removes redundant language, and make editorial revisions.
Also in Florida. The Agency for Health Care Administration published two emergency rules to adopt regulations under 59AER20-14 and 59AER20-15 to require assisted living facilities to allow representatives of the Department of Health or cooperating pharmacies to enter the facility to administer to staff and residents voluntary COVID vaccines. Both rules were effective December 1 and expire March 1, 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Department of Healthcare and Family Services issued a provider notice with an update about rate determination and claims processing of new COVID-19 laboratory test codes. Please visit the above link for more information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
The Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy has just released a new FAQ dealing with COVID-19. The FAQ provides numerous helpful links for pharmacies and pharmacists. More information can be found here.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
In the first week of its lame-duck session, the Senate passed SB 920, legislation with pharmacy regulatory relief provisions that were rescinded when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s (D) Executive Orders either lapsed or were invalidated by the State Supreme Court. Key provisions pertain to emergency refills, therapeutic interchange, remote supervision, and out of state licensing. It is unclear if or how the House can act on the legislation, however, given the cancelation of session days due to the COVID-19 outbreak among House members and staff coinciding with last week’s visit from Rudy Guliani.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
The Department of Human Services updated its billing information for pharmacies enrolled in programs for COVID-19 testing and vaccination. Please visit the above link for more information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.