Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) recently appointed three new members to serve on the 17-member Board of Pharmacy: Walgreens pharmacist Troy Menard, and independent pharmacists David Darcy and Anthony Mercantile. The Governor also reappointed five pharmacists: independent Allen Cassidy, health systems Ricky Indovina, independent Ricky Mannino, independent Doug Robichaux, and hospital Raymond Strong.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health issued MDH Issues Updated Guidance on Vaccines by Pharmacies and Immunet Reporting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued a bulletin indicating that pharmacists can receive reimbursement from Medicaid for flu vaccines retroactively beginning Oct. 1, 2020, for administering flu vaccines to individuals three years and older in accordance with the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act). Under this bulletin, the state will pay pharmacies the ingredient costs for vaccines and will allow for the billing, up to the state allowable cost, for administration fees.
Also in Michigan. The Michigan Pharmacists Association has appointed Mark Glasper as its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) beginning in January 2021. Mark Glasper currently serves as CEO of the Kentucky Pharmacists Association.
Also in Michigan. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed the state budget into law with pharmacy-related provisions taking effect on February 1, 2021. Of note, for pharmacies with seven or fewer outlets, Managed Medicaid reimbursement will follow fee-for-service reimbursement methodology. The State will also move to a single preferred drug list, create reporting requirements to improve transparency around pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and remove clawbacks from the Medicaid program.
Lastly in Michigan. The State Supreme Court struck down Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s (D) executive orders (EO) related to COVID-19, effectively ruling that any EO signed after April 30 was null and void. NACDS and its in-state partners are working to legislate the business efficiencies covered in the rescinded EO’s. HB 6293, a bill authorizing pharmacists to provide COVID testing, is now headed to the Governor.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Pharmacists who need to update their immunizer status with the Board of Pharmacy to administer vaccines may find instructions here.
Also in North Carolina. The Commission for Public Health issued an emergency rule to adopt regulations under 10A NCAC 41A to require all health care providers and clinical laboratories to report all coronavirus (COVID-19) diagnostic test results, both positive and negative. The rule includes requirements for how the reporting should occur and the timeframe for reporting positive and negative results. The rule because effective on September 25 and expires November 24, 2020.
Lastly in North Carolina. The Division of Medical Assistance is extending a temporary provider rate increases including pharmacy dispensing fees through the end of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency, which goes through January 21, 2021. This action will extend all COVID-19 rate increases currently in place. For more information, please click here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Department of Medicaid (ODM) is moving forward with the implementation of the tiered supplemental dispensing fee required by House Bill 166 of the 133rd General Assembly. After soliciting feedback from pharmacy association stakeholders, including NACDS, ODM has developed a methodology for allocating the funds as described in this FAQ document. They also created a dashboard that allows pharmacies to preview if they are eligible and the amount of funds they will receive by plugging in NPI numbers. Members can direct questions to medicaid_pharmacy@medicaid.ohio.gov.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
A bill that includes several provisions related to pharmacy practice has passed the Senate unanimously and is in the House of Representatives for consideration. HB 770, sponsored by Rep. Tony DeLuca (D) originally requiring the registration of pharmacy technicians, was amended to include provisions:
NACDS will continue working with members and in-state partners over the next several weeks to overcome concerns raised by the medical community and Gov. Wolf (D). NACDS will be asking members to engage in advocacy communication efforts.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Board of Pharmacy shared an announcement that there is now a statewide standing order for naloxone distribution from pharmacies. Through a standing order issued by Mary S. Carpenter, MD, with the Departments of Health and Social Services, Naloxone can now be requested and dispensed by pharmacists in South Dakota to any person who is: an individual at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose; and/or a family member, friend, or close third party to a person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose. Detailed information and supporting documents and forms regarding the standing order and Naloxone distribution can be found by accessing here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services issued a final rule to repeal and readopt regulations under RRT 0940-06-01 to update standards on controlled substances. The rule includes the schedules of controlled substances and lists of certain non-narcotic substances, chemical preparations, prescription products, anabolic steroids, and cannabis products that are excluded from the schedules. The rule is effective on December 30, 2020.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
State Senator Dr. Dawn Buckingham (R) toured an HEB pharmacy in her district this week where she observed first-hand why the pharmacy technician ratio needs to be increased and witnessed how pharmacies are stepping up to fill gaps in health care by administering more immunizations. Dr. Buckingham expressed appreciation for NACDS’ support for her reelection campaign.
Also in Texas. The Health and Human Services Commission Department of State Health Care Services (DSHS) issued detailed guidance on how to become a COVD-19 Vaccinator in Texas. Pharmacists can register by visiting the following website. https://enrolltexasiz.dshs.texas.gov/eregister1.asp
Lastly in Texas. On Tuesday, November 3, 2020, at 9 am CST, the Board of Pharmacy will meet virtually to discuss the final adoption of proposed rules expanding pharmacy technician duties and increasing ratios. Please visit the links below for the agenda, live stream, and for information on how to provide oral comments during the meeting for which pre-registration must be completed by 5 pm CST October 31, 2020.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
