Governor Chris Sununu (R) signed into law HB 1639, which authorizes pharmacists and pharmacy interns (under direct supervision) to administer a COVID19 vaccine, once available.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The Ohio House voted to remove Representative Larry Householder (R) as Speaker of the House by a vote of 90-0. A federal grand jury had previously indicted Representative Larry Householder (R) and four other individuals on various charges, including racketeering. Following that vote, House Republicans chose Representative Bob Cupp (R) to be the next Speaker. Representative Jeffrey Crossman (D) moved to expel Representative Larry Householder (R) from the Legislature during the House session. Ohio House Republicans tabled the motion from further consideration. The Ohio Constitution requires a two-thirds vote for expulsion from the Legislature. Representative Larry Householder (R) retains his House seat and currently has no opponent in the November election. The House is currently in recess until September, and House Rule 1 states only the Speaker can call a session.
Also in Ohio. The Board of Pharmacy has published guidance rescinding rule 4729:5.5.21, which prohibits the sale of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine. The guidance also clarifies that a diagnosis code for COVID is no longer needed to fill those prescriptions as previously required by 4729:5.30.2.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) is hosting two provider training sessions. This annual quality improvement training covers retroactive eligibility as it relates to prior authorization, service types, and submission guidelines for prior authorization and includes an overview of the Keystone Peer Review Organization (KEPRO) website and a provider portal. Learn more here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
NACDS participated in a meeting of a committee comprised of representatives from the Board of Pharmacy, Board of Nursing, and Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners. Applicable South Dakota statutes require this group to address pharmacist immunization standards. The committee agreed to allow the Board of Pharmacy’s immunization rule language to proceed. The Board of Pharmacy anticipates holding an August meeting to engage in discussions on the broader rule package shared with members previously.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
On August 4, the Board of Pharmacy agreed to adopt proposed rules from the November 3, 2020 board meeting that would expand pharmacy technician duties(accepting oral prescriptions, transferring a prescription, and contacting the prescriber to clarify information on an existing prescription order)for all classes of pharmacy except Class C hospital pharmacies. The Board also agreed to adopt proposed rules increasing the pharmacists-to-pharmacy technician ratio for Class A retail pharmacies from 1:4 to 1:6.
Also in Texas. Effective October 15, 2020, Samuel M. Poloyac will serve as the next dean of the University of Texas College of Pharmacy. Dean-designate Poloyac currently serves as the associate dean for graduate and postdoctoral programs at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. Retiring Dean Lynn Crismon will support Dr. Poloyac throughout the transition.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
For members of the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin, there is an opportunity to serve on a newly forming Community Pharmacy Advisory Committee. Interested individuals should complete this application by August 13. Please contact Kari Trapskin with any questions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
On July 23, the Board of Pharmacy issued a waiver temporarily increasing the ratio, allowing one additional intern pharmacist for each supervising pharmacist under the following conditions: (1) the additional intern pharmacist is administering immunizations consistent with the provisions of Pharmacy Law, and (2) the pharmacy maintains a readily retrievable record documenting the date and time when the ratio is increased according to this waiver and the staff operating under the waiver. Records must be maintained for one year following the end of the declared emergency. The waiver is set to expire on October 20, 2020.
Also in California. NACDS’ in-state partner, the California Retailers Association, signed a coalition letter to the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) requesting a 30-day extension to the public comment period on the Second Draft of the Proposed Regulations for the Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship Program, now scheduled to expire on August 3, 2020.
Also in California. In advance of the Senate Business and Professions Committee meeting on August 8, 2020, NACDS and the California Retailers Association submitted a joint letter supporting AB 1710 by Assembly Member Jim Wood, which would allow pharmacists to administer all FDA authorized or approved vaccines.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Committee on Health held a hearing on B23-0535, legislation requiring color-coded warning labels on opioid medications. Councilmembers Vincent Gray, Chair of the Committee on Health, and David Grosso both expressed their support for the bill. Additionally, Dr. Shauna White, Executive Director of the Board of Pharmacy, testified in favor of the bill. NACDS submitted written testimony opposing the bill. NACDS will discuss strategy and next steps with members as the bill moves forward.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Kentucky Medicaid’s adoption of a stop-gap measure included in Section 5 subsection 1(a) of SB50 prohibits managed care contractors from reducing pharmacy dispensing fees through the end of this year. While it is likely that the Medicaid contract extension issued July 1, 2020, will include the contract language detailed above, documentation of this cannot be provided at this time as these contract extensions are not publicly available. Regardless of the availability of this language, however, at the very least the stop-gap measure prohibits the reduction of dispensing fees through the end of this year. Additionally, in 2018, the General Assembly enacted a biennial budget that included budget language stated for fiscal year 2020, which will provide for an additional $2 dispensing fee to be added to the existing contracted dispensing fee to retail pharmacies. NACDS supported state advocates’ efforts to adopt SB 50 and thanks the Kentucky Retail Federation for sharing their analysis of the issue with us.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.