The Pharmacists Association (NMPhA) announced its new Executive Director, Alexandra (Lex) Garcia. Lex replaces Dale Tinker, who has been at the helm of the association for 35 years.
Also in New Mexico, despite pushback from Democratic leadership, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) called the legislature into a 30-day (or less) special session beginning on July 18.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
On July 17, 2024, NYRx, the State Medicaid Prescription Drug Program, hosted its monthly pharmacy call. The agenda included:
The next call will be August 21, 2024.
Also in New York, the Office of Health Insurance Programs of the State Department of Health has approved the release of the June 2024 Medicaid Update. It included the following:
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The Controlled Substance Reporting Act requires that gabapentin dispensing be reported by pharmacies. Gabapentin is not a controlled substance (under federal or North Carolina law), but its dispensing must nonetheless be reported to the Controlled Substances
Reporting System (CSRS). The Drug Control Unit of the Department of Health and Human Services administers the CSRS and has provided questions and answers concerning gabapentin reporting. That guidance is found in the “What information must be reported to the CSRS?” frequently asked questions.
Also in North Carolina, the next Board of Pharmacy election is scheduled to begin November 1, 2024. Two positions on the Board will be filled, the Northeastern District seat presently held by Wallace Nelson and the Central District seat presently held by Ashley Duggins. Board staff will hold Q & A sessions for anyone considering running for one of these positions or for anyone wanting more information about Board service. The first session will be on July 31, 2024, at 7:00 pm, Hampton Inn in Rocky Mount. The second info session will be on August 28, 2024, at 7:00 pm, Hampton Inn in Concord. Complete details will be posted and sent out by the Board next week.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Board of Pharmacy has published a final rule amending language prohibiting retaliation in response to requests for additional staff and reports of staffing concerns. The Rule will be effective July 25, 2024.
Also in Ohio, Medicaid and Myers and Stauffer hosted a webinar to brief pharmacy associations about the mandatory upcoming biennial Cost of Dispensing Study. Please review the slide deck and the DRAFT Cost of Dispensing study for more details. Survey forms will be sent to all pharmacies July 25 via both snail mail and email and are due back August 29. Please see pages 9-11 of the slide deck for specific information options for chain pharmacies to submit batch data for all stores.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted the agenda and meeting materials for its next meeting on July 24. Please register in advance of the meeting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
After several weeks of intense negotiations and multiple meetings among the General Assembly and stakeholders, HB 1993 (Rep. Jessica Benham-D) passed and was signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) as Act 77 of 2024. The bill includes significant commercial PBM reform provisions and an expansion of pharmacist immunization authority to include ACIP vaccines for children aged eight years and older and pharmacy technician immunization authority for COVID and Flu for ages 13 years and older. Many thanks to the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drugs Stores, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association and Value Drug Co. and all who put many hours of work into getting it across the finish line.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed HB 3988, legislation that authorizes pharmacists to administer non-flu vaccines to persons 16 years of age and older, to order and administer flu and COVID tests and to delegate both vaccine administration and the administration of tests to pharmacy technicians working under their supervision. The act took effect upon signature of the Governor.
Also in South Carolina, on July 1, 2024, the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) became two separate agencies, the Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) and the Department of Public Health (DPH). Additionally, DHEC’s retail food program and milk and dairy lab moved to the Department of Agriculture (SCDA). You can visit the linked agencies for your needs or visit the DHEC homepage to choose the correct agency website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
CVS Caremark will contact low-volume pharmacies and pharmacy services administrative organizations (PSAOs) this month with information regarding its re-billing and re-processing updates to comply with 2022’s Public Chapter 1070 for claims from January-October 2023. Due to the switch from AWP to NADAC pricing, some pharmacies may need to pay recoupment fees to CVS Caremark. The Tennessee Pharmacy Association has been in contact with CVS Caremark representatives and legislative leadership and is working to communicate with PSAOs about this change and next steps pharmacies can take to prevent financial losses. Pharmacies should submit rate review requests to CVS Caremark before submitting external appeals to the Department of Commerce and Insurance to rectify this situation.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Board of Pharmacy issued the following communication to licensees:
“In response to House Bill 2147, passed during the 2023 General Assembly Session, the Board of Pharmacy is reminding pharmacy personnel that federal laws require minimum standards in certain situations regarding patient translation services for prescription drugs. Specifically, pharmacy personnel are encouraged to review and consult with their management regarding the pharmacy’s compliance with the following federal laws: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d) regarding discrimination based on race, color, or national origin by any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. § 794) regarding discrimination based on a disability from any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance; and Title III of the American with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 12181 to 12189; 28 C.F.R. Pt. 36) regarding discrimination at a place of public accommodation which includes a pharmacy. Please note the Board is unable to provide legal advice on this matter. However, additional information may be found in the Board of Pharmacy Report Regarding the Provision of Translated Directions for Use of Prescriptions submitted to the Virginia General Assembly on December 7, 2023.Please also be aware that the Board will adopt regulations and guidance by December 31, 2024, for accessible prescription labels to assist the blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled as required by House Bill 516, passed during the 2024 General Assembly Session.”
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.