The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and weekly notice on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:

• Pemgarda™ (pemivibart) Now a Medi-Cal Rx Benefit
• User Administration Console (UAC) URL Update
• Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for September 13-19

Also in California, NACDS submitted a letter to the Board of Pharmacy expressing concerns with proposed rules updating the Board’s quality assurance program regulatory requirements. The primary concern is that these amendments could potentially put pharmacies that are members of Patient Safety Organizations (PSOs) at odds with the requirements set forth in the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 (PSQIA) and recommended the Board further analyze these amendments. Additionally, we requested a one-year delayed implementation of this regulation to allow pharmacies sufficient time to update their policies and systems to comply.

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

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued the following statement, urging Governor Newsom’s signature on SB 966, which reflects a shared commitment to making healthcare more affordable, accessible, and transparent for all Californians:

“Senate Bill 966 is a game-changer for California consumers. For too long, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) have operated in the shadows, impacting drug prices and patient access with little oversight. SB 966 will bring much-needed transparency and accountability to this critical part of our healthcare system. I strongly urge Governor Newsom to sign this bill, which will help ensure that consumers—not corporate intermediaries—benefit from the savings PBMs negotiate with drug manufacturers.”

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and weekly notices on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:

• State of Emergency Override Activation: Submission Clarification Code 13 (September 18)
• Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for September 6-12
• State of Emergency Override Actions: Submission Clarification Code 13 (September 12)
• Mass Adjustment for Professional Dispensing Fee Amount Decrease for Impacted Claims with a Date of Service July 1, 2022, through October 3, 2022
• Mass Adjustment for Impacted Paxlovid Renal Dose Claims with a Date of Service April 1, 2022, through January 17, 2024
• Mass Adjustment for COVID-19 Vaccine Incentive Fee for Impacted Claims with a Date of Service April 1, 2022, through September 31, 2022
• Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for August 30-September 5

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following:

• September 2024 Pharmacy Medi-Cal Update Bulletin
• September 2024 Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Services Medi-Cal Update Bulletin

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy (Board) announced starting January 1, 2025, licenses that are eligible for renewal will be processed only online. Those who are eligible include:

• Pharmacist
• Advanced Practice Pharmacist
• Pharmacy Technician
• Designated Representative – Wholesaler
• Designated Representative – Veterinary Food-Animal Drug Retailer
• Designated Representative – 3PL
• Designated Representative – Reverse Distributor

Note: In most cases, the license expires at the end of the month of the licensee’s registered birthday for pharmacists, advanced practice pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. For designated representatives, the license expires on the first of the month.

The Board will no longer mail out a paper renewal application for the above licensees. In its place, a postcard reminder will be sent approximately six weeks prior to the license expiration date and the licensee will renew by going to www.pharmacy.ca.gov. The postcard is only a reminder, if the licensee does not receive a postcard, they are still required to submit their payment on-time to avoid a delinquency fee and cancellation of the license.

For Pharmacists and Advanced Practice Pharmacists, if your license expired more than two years ago, you are not eligible to renew your license online. Contact the Board at RenewalStatus@dca.ca.gov for assistance.

Renewal payment transactions must be completed prior to 5:00 pm Pacific Time on the date your license expires to avoid the delinquency fee.

Online payments made after 5:00 pm Pacific Time are not credited on the day of the transaction. The Board recommends you print your payment confirmation at the end of this transaction for your records. Once the online payment is submitted, please allow two business days for processing.

Reminder, confirm address is correct. You must notify the board of any change in your address within 30 days. Change of address may take between 7-10 business days to update the system. If the correct address is not in the system at the time of renewal, the process may be delayed. Address changes can be made on-line or in writing to the board.

When renewing online, the licensee must confirm that their address is correct before submitting the payment.

Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy stated licensees continue to report being victimized by scam callers claiming to represent the Board of Pharmacy (Board).

In a recent attempt, the caller claimed to be a Board inspector who told the pharmacist they were charged with drug trafficking and money laundering in Texas. They told the licensee they needed to go to Texas to face charges. The caller insisted the licensee stop practicing immediately.

Two other individuals who claimed to be FBI agents were also on the phone call. And the licensee received an official looking letter of their suspension. Fortunately, this licensee contacted the Board and confirmed that they were in good standing and not part of any investigation.

Techniques used by fake callers include:

• A caller uses a caller ID that says “CA State Board of Pharmacy” with the Board’s phone number, (916) 518-3100.
• The caller claims a licensee is under investigation by the Board, the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), the DEA, the FBI, or another government agency. In some cases, the caller also warns of discipline unless the licensee pays a “fine.”
• A caller warns a licensee not to report the call to anyone “or else you will jeopardize the investigation.”
• A caller requests a licensee’s cell phone number.
• A caller gives a fake call-back number.

In many cases, callers are attempting to extort money or elicit sensitive information – e.g., license numbers, DEA registration numbers, etc. – from licensees.

What can you do to protect yourself and your pharmacy?

Licensee security is important to the Board of Pharmacy. Be aware of these tips from the Board and DCA:

• If you have any doubts or questions about someone claiming – by phone or in person – to represent the California State Board of Pharmacy, call the Board at (916) 518-3100.
• To check the identity of a caller who claims to be conducting a DCA investigation, call DCA directly at (800) 952-5210.
• If a scam caller claims to represent the DEA or the FBI, report the call to the DEA’s Extortion Scam reporting program or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
• If a scam caller’s phone number appears to be a Board of Pharmacy or DCA telephone number, report the scam using the Federal Communications Commission’s consumer complaint form.

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

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

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

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

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