In The States – Page 318 – Weekly news about states

North Carolina

Governor Cooper signed new Executive Order 138. The Executive Order does not lift the stay-at-home order but replaces previous executive orders to begin Phase 1 on Friday, May 8 at 5pm. The order is set to expire on Friday, May 22 at 5pm at which point the Governor will examine whether North Carolina will enter Phase 2.

Also in North Carolina... The General Assembly convened their scheduled short session last Tuesday, April 28 and quickly approved a pandemic relief package of nearly $1.6 billion that Governor Cooper signed into law on Monday, May 4th. The legislation is effective immediately and included, among other items, language that authorizes pharmacists to administer a COVID-19 vaccine or immunization once one is developed and recommended by the CDC. Two liability protection provisions, one covers health care workers, protecting them from civil and criminal liability as they provide COVID-19 treatment and the second protects any essential business whose employees or customers contract COVID-19.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-07T09:46:57-04:00May 7, 2020|North Carolina|

Texas

Prior to the May 5th quarterly Zoom Board meeting, the Executive Director Allison Benz announced that the discussion on expanding technician duties and eliminating the arbitrary ratio would be postponed until the August 4th in-person Board meeting.

Also in Texas... The Health and Human Services Commission’s Vendor Drug Program (Medicaid) finally submitted their 1115 Waiver on April 22nd, that would allow reimbursement to pharmacies for administering flu vaccines, long acting antipsychotics, and drugs used to treat substance use disorder or opioid dependency.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-07T09:44:54-04:00May 7, 2020|Texas|

Virginia

In response to Governor Ralph Northam’s (D) declared state of emergency regarding COVID-19 and as authorized in §54.1-3307.3, the Board of Pharmacy clarified that pharmacists can perform all CLIA-waived point of care tests, including COVID-19 tests. Additionally, they made updates to their Emergency Provisions During the COVID-19 Declared Emergency that includes waiver of the signature requirement as proof of delivery.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Michael Angeloni2020-05-07T09:39:33-04:00May 7, 2020|Virginia|

Washington

The Washington Health Care Authority (Medicaid) has added the following optional benefits to their state plan: Allow pharmacists practicing within their scope of practice to order, collect specimens, conduct and interpret necessary tests, initiate treatment when appropriate, and administer vaccines for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of COVID-19; and allow pharmacists practicing within their scope of practice to administer any prescribed injectable, covered, outpatient drug during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-07T09:36:21-04:00May 7, 2020|Washington|

Wisconsin

The Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin (PSW) has appointed Sarah Sorum, PharmD, as its new Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Sorum has been with PSW since 2007 in various roles, including as its PSW Senior Vice President of Professional and Educational Services, before being named Interim CEO. NACDS congratulates Dr. Sorum on her appointment and wishes PSW the best in its next chapter.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-07T09:35:15-04:00May 7, 2020|Wisconsin|

Wyoming

The Wyoming Board of Pharmacy has approved the elimination of the technician ratio which was previously 3:1.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-05-07T09:28:41-04:00May 7, 2020|Wyoming|

Alabama

All previously published expiration dates related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency are once again extended by the Alabama Medicaid Agency (Medicaid). The new expiration date is May 30, 2020, or at the conclusion of the COVID-19 National emergency, whichever occurs first.

Also in Alabama… the Board of Pharmacy is providing Notice and guidance to pharmacists on testing for coronavirus, including conditions under which pharmacists, and pharmacy interns under the immediate supervision of a pharmacist, can perform the allowed tests with appropriate training. Pharmacy technicians can only be involved in completing required paperwork, including the required reporting. Pharmacies must also provide staff with appropriate personal protective equipment. Note: Pharmacies conducting COVID-19 tests are subject to the reporting requirements specified on the Alabama Department of Public Health web page.

Also in Alabama… Alabama Medicaid is providing notice that the State Plan Amendment (SPA) request to modify the default/backup pharmacy reimbursement methodology when no AAC is present on brand drugs only from WAC + 0% to WAC – 4% has been approved by CMS. The plan is now to proceed with the Administrative Code change for an implementation date to be determined later this year.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-04-30T09:31:17-04:00April 30, 2020|Alabama|

Arkansas

Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced that he would begin lifting restrictions on May 4, 2020. He recently appointed 27 leaders, including Charlie Spakes with the Arkansas Grocery and Retail Merchant Association, to his Economic Recovery Task Force to provide guidance to help the Governor develop a strategy for recovery based on the best public health information available.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-04-30T09:30:21-04:00April 30, 2020|Arkansas|

Colorado

Gov. Jared Polis (D) provided guidelines for Colorado’s reopening after the statewide stay-at-home order expired on April 26th. Retailers will have the option to open May 1,2020, as long as they have social-distancing policies in place. The Governor also directed that workers in critical businesses wear masks or face cloth coverings

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

Michael Angeloni2020-04-30T09:28:48-04:00April 30, 2020|Colorado|