In The States – Page 300 – Weekly news about states

Texas

NACDS, the Texas Federation of Drug Stores, and the Texas Pharmacy are all continuing to work with the Board of Pharmacy to urge Gov. Greg Abbott to allow all licensed pharmacies with CLIA-waivers to order and administer all FDA-authorized CLIA-waived tests that can detect COVID or the presence of antigens or antibodies produced in response to the virus.

Also in Texas... On May 15th, the Board of Pharmacy issued the following guidance to pharmacists when dispensing prescriptions for Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine, Mefloquine, or Azithromycin in compliance with Emergency Board Rule 291.30.

The rule does not prevent a physician from prescribing one of these drugs for an off-label use. Please note, the intended use for the drug is not required if the practitioner determines the furnishing of this information is not in the best interest of the patient in accordance with Board rule 291.34 (b)(7).

o The intent of Rule 291.30 is to prevent the stockpiling of the drugs and to ensure that reasonable quantities are available for ALL patients that require therapy with the drugs, including patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis.

o It was not the Board’s intent to hinder the use of the drugs on patients that are in need of drug therapy, but rather to prevent unreasonable quantities that would otherwise be representative of hoarding or stockpiling tactics.

o In addition, the Rule does not apply to a prescription issued for a patient already established on the medication (e.g., prescription to treat rheumatoid arthritis or lupus for already established patients).

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-21T09:54:35-04:00May 21, 2020|Texas|

Wyoming

The Wyoming Legislature finished its first of several special sessions focusing on allocating the $1.25 billion allocated to the state through the CARES Act. Of possible interest to NACDS members if the passage of HB 1004 – Business relief programs. The bill sets up a state level business relief program to provide direct grants/stipends to Wyoming businesses impacted by the COVID19 pandemic.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-21T09:52:26-04:00May 21, 2020|Wyoming|

Alabama

Notice of the Department of Insurance announces that health care providers will receive claim reimbursements from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for coronavirus (COVID-19) testing and treatment services provided to uninsured individuals. The reimbursements will be provided at Medicare rates for services or admittance on or after Feb. 4, 2020.

Emergency rule of the Board of Pharmacy amends regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to provide pharmacy technicians an extension to complete required training until Dec. 31, 2020, in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. The extension applies to technicians who initially registered on or after Jan. 1, 2020, through the end of the state of emergency. The rule is effective March 25, 2020 and expires July 23, 2020.

Emergency rule of the Board of Pharmacy adopts regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to allow the board to issue temporary pharmacist practice permits during the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. The rule applies to applicants licensed in another state who meet specified criteria. The rule is effective April 2, 2020 and expires July 31, 2020.

Emergency rule of the Board of Pharmacy adopts regulations under AAC 680-X-2 to allow the board to issue temporary in-state pharmacy permits if the applicant meets specified criteria during the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. The rule is effective April 2, 2020 and expires July 31, 2020.

Emergency rule of the Medicaid Agency adopts regulations under AAC 560-X-13 to temporarily ease the EPSDT referral requirements, “face to face” provider visit requirements, and expiration dates of orders related to Durable Medical Equipment during the state of emergency as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rule is effective March 24, 2020 and expires July 22, 2020.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-14T09:42:22-04:00May 14, 2020|Alabama|

Arkansas

NACDS submitted comments to the Arkansas Department of Human Services in support of a Medicaid state plan amendment to increase payment rates for pharmacies and other vaccine providers. Given that appropriate Medicaid vaccine payment rates are key to ensuring access to vaccine services that are vital to public health goals, NACDS comments commended the state for pursuing this rate increase.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-14T09:38:44-04:00May 14, 2020|Arkansas|

California

The Department of Finance announced that the state’s revenue decline, estimating late last week that the overall budget deficit is approximately $54.3 billion.

Also in California... On May 12th, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced efforts to expand the state’s ability to provide more COVID-19 testing, including using pharmacists to test. For pharmacists to help, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) issued the following DCA waiver DCA-20-14 Restrictions on Pharmacists Ordering and Collecting Specimens for COVID-19 Tests.

Also in California... Having received approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS) request for multiple Section 1135 flexibilities related to Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), new guidance was issued. To the extent applicable, the following modifications also apply to CHIP through the duration of the public health emergency:

Extending pre-existing authorizations.
Accommodating circumstances that require relocation to an alternative setting to ensure the continuation of needed home and community-based services (HCBS).
Temporarily waiving written consent under HCBS programs and permitting documented verbal consent as an alternative.

Also in California... NACDS participated in the Zoom Board meeting on May 7th where the following actions were taken.

Re-elected President Greg Lippe, Vice President Debbie Veale, and Treasurer Maria Serpa to one-year terms as officers.
Delegated authority to the president to grant Pharmacy Law waivers for up to 90 days and to extend existing waivers for up to 90 additional days.
Approved a proposed regulation to add Title 16, CCR section 1714.3, Community Pharmacy Staffing without NACDS’ amendments.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-14T09:31:41-04:00May 14, 2020|California|

Georgia

Emergency rule of the Board of Pharmacy adopts regulations under GAC 480-22-0 to specify requirements for dispensing of Schedule II controlled substances during the coronavirus (COVID-19) state of emergency upon receiving oral authorization from the prescribing practitioner.  The rule is effective April 1, 2020 and shall be effective for the duration of the emergency or a period of not more than 120 days, whichever is shorter. 

Emergency rule of the Board of Pharmacy adopts regulations under GAC 480-10-0 to specify the conditions under which chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, or mefloquine may be dispensed or distributed during the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. The rule specifies that the substances cannot be dispensed unless the prescription or practitioner drug order includes a diagnosis and establishes a limit of 14 day supplies with no refill. The rule is effective March 27, 2020 and expires July 25, 2020.

Emergency rule of the Board of Pharmacy adopts regulations under GAC 480-15-0 to establish standards for temporary pharmacy technician registration during the coronavirus (COVID-19) state of emergency. The rule is effective April 1, 2020 and shall be effective for the duration of the emergency or a period of not more than 120 days, whichever is shorter.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-14T09:42:54-04:00May 14, 2020|Georgia|

Louisiana

NACDS and the Louisiana Retailers Association submitted a joint letter to the COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force charged with addressing health disparities. In our letter, we described how pharmacies and pharmacists can help increase access to care and improve health equity for minority and vulnerable populations throughout the state.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-14T09:29:10-04:00May 14, 2020|Louisiana|

Mississippi

Effective May 11, 2020, providers – whether medical or pharmacy – are prohibited from collecting co-payments from Medicaid beneficiaries. For more pharmacy specific information, please click here.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-14T09:27:45-04:00May 14, 2020|Mississippi|

Missouri

The Missouri Board of Pharmacy webinar originally scheduled for March 26th has been rescheduled to May 21, at 12:00 pm. Attendees must re-register for the new date here. The webinar will feature Chief Inspector Tom Glenski and Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Administrator Michael Boeger.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

Michael Angeloni2020-05-14T09:26:44-04:00May 14, 2020|Missouri|