In The States – Page 319 – Weekly news about states

Florida

Florida Department of Health issued Executive Order 20-006 which allows for COVID-19 Testing by Pharmacists. This order suspends the provision of Section 418.813 of the Florida Statutes that requires a pharmacist to be separately licensed to perform a clinical laboratory tests and also suspends the provision of Section 465.003 (13) of the Florida Statutes that may prohibit a pharmacist from ordering, administering, or reporting the results of COVID-19 tests, including serology tests, authorized by the FDA at a location with a clear and active pharmacy license.

Also in Florida… the Agency for Health Care Administration has issued an ALERT to provide Florida Medicaid coverage updates of laboratory testing for COVID-19.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-04-30T09:26:26-04:00April 30, 2020|Florida|

Georgia

Governor Kemp announced that he will begin the reopening of Georgia’s economy which will happen incrementally in three phases using the methods outlined by President Trump. He also stated that Georgia is on-track to meet Phase I of such a plan soon. To that end, the Governor issued a new Executive Order, as well as guidance for those businesses named. The Shelter in Place order remains in place and Georgians must continue to abide by that order until it expires. Governor Kemp then issued an additional Executive Order. That clarifies certain provisions in the EO issued on April 23rd. Specifically, the provisions of the Executive Order issued on April 23rd, unless otherwise stated in that Order, go into effect on May 1st, 2020 and shall be effective through May 13th, 2020.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-04-30T09:25:14-04:00April 30, 2020|Georgia|

Iowa

The Iowa Department of Human Services reminds pharmacies that its latest biennial Medicaid Cost of Dispensing survey is due Thursday, April 30th.

Also in Iowa… The Iowa Board of Pharmacy issued a press release with information about rules relating to the distribution of COVID-19 testing kits, including serology tests, into the state of Iowa.

Also in Iowa... Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) issued an extension of the emergency proclamation, permitting regulatory relief to pharmacies through May 27, 2020. The Board of Pharmacy responded with this guidance.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-04-30T09:24:04-04:00April 30, 2020|Iowa|

Louisiana

The Board of Pharmacy issued a Proposed rule amending regulations to add nine drugs of concern, including seven drugs for the treatment of hepatitis, promethazine oral liquid formation, and gabapentin. The rule also requires recordkeeping for prescription transactions and revises provisions on authorized access privileges, access registration procedures, and methods of access. In addition, the rule would extend the automatic registration procedures to include dispensers and remove redundant provisions. Comments are due to mstaples@nacds.org by COB May 15, 2020 so that we can submit a comment letter in advance of the May 29, 2020 public hearing.

Also in Louisiana… The Board of Pharmacy issued a Proposed rule to remove the requirement for pharmacists to publicly display a paper copy of their current license renewal. Comments are due May 29, 2020.

Also in Louisiana... Dr. Courtney N. Phillips officially joined the Louisiana Department of Health to serve as the Secretary. Dr. Phillips mos

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

Michael Angeloni2020-04-30T09:22:15-04:00April 30, 2020|Louisiana|

Michigan

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) announced an extension of her previous Executive Order with wide-ranging scope of practice and operational measures to facilitate pharmacy engagement in response to COVID-19. The new order will apply through May 19, 2020.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-04-30T09:21:17-04:00April 30, 2020|Michigan|

Mississippi

Mississippi State Department of Health issued the following guidance this week. HHS recently authorized pharmacists to order and administer COVID-19 tests. Pharmacies will need a CLIA Certificate of Waiver from the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) to participate in testing. It will be up to the pharmacy and the pharmacist-in-charge to deem all appropriate training for the testing to be completed. For anyone interested in conducting COVID-19 testing, please stay alert for any changes made by the FDA, HHS, MSDH, or Mississippi Board of Pharmacy. Positive test results must be reported to MSDH with patient information; negative results must be reported daily in aggregate (number) without patient information.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-04-30T09:20:08-04:00April 30, 2020|Mississippi|

North Carolina

Governor Cooper has announced the extension of the current stay-at-home Executive Order 121 until May 8,2020 at 5pm and a 3-phase plan for reopening. Executive Order 121 that enacted stay-at-home requirements has been in place since March 30th and was originally scheduled to expire next Thursday, April 30th. This order does not alter any provisions of the previous executive order other than technical changes.

Also in North Carolina... Effective April 27, 2020, prescriptions for NC Medicaid and NC Health Choice beneficiaries are eligible for the addition of a mailing or delivery fee via the guidelines below. NC Medicaid encourages beneficiaries to request, and pharmacy providers to mail or deliver prescriptions to beneficiaries, during the COVID-19 pandemic to achieve better social distancing within their community. This measure should be considered for all beneficiaries, but especially those that are considered at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness. For more information please click here.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-04-30T09:18:52-04:00April 30, 2020|North Carolina|

Pennsylvania

HB 943, legislation prohibiting PBMs and PSAOs from penalizing pharmacies for disclosing a patient’s cost share for a prescription drug and discussing available alternatives, has been reported from the Senate Health Committee and received first consideration on the Senate Floor. The legislation, commonly referred to as a “gag clause” bill was sponsored by Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R), and previously passed the House unanimously.

Also in Pennsylvania... Rep. Seth Grove (R) has introduced legislation that would expand pharmacists’ immunization authority and allow them to order and administer COVID-19 and CLIA-waived tests for the duration of the Governor’s disaster emergency declaration. Specifically, HB 2461 would allow pharmacist to provide any vaccine on the CDC or ACIP schedules and any injectable or biological medication for the treatment or prevention of COVID to patients 9 years of age or older, including any upcoming COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, it would suspend the provisions of the Pennsylvania Lab Act that requires prior work experience in a laboratory for pharmacists to register with the state to perform CLIA-waived tests, including those for COVID-19. The legislation was introduced at the behest of NACDS and the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores (PACDS).

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

Michael Angeloni2020-04-30T09:16:34-04:00April 30, 2020|Pennsylvania|

Texas

The Texas Federation of Drug Stores submitted several requests to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) requesting additional waivers, including one for pharmacists testing requesting either a waiver or statewide order from the Department of State Health Services, and one on telepharmacy.

Also in Texas... Gov. Greg Abbott (R) appointed Chairman and CEO of Brookshire Grocery Company Brad Brookshire to his Strike Force to Open Texas to develop plans on how to best reopen the state.

Also in Texas... Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced that he was mobilizing the Texas National Guard for COVID-19 mobile testing teams. Forty-five teams will be mobilized across the state to provide greater access to medical testing. The teams will have eleven medical professionals and support staff, as well as thirty-four soldiers. Currently, the Texas National Guard has the capacity to test 150 people per day at each mobile testing location.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-04-30T09:14:49-04:00April 30, 2020|Texas|