The SC Board of Pharmacy and SC Board of Medical Examiners issued Joint Guidance regarding the prescribing and dispensing of Hydroxychloroquine, Chloroquine, and Azithromycin. Click here to view this order.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
South Dakota Medicaid issued a Provider Letter with Frequently Asked Questions, including information about temporary policy changes effective March 16 pertaining to early refills and 60-day supply.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP, has issued this statement on chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and azithromycin. This statement has been sent to all providers in Tennessee.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Gov. Gary Hebert (R) signed into law several bills of interest to chain pharmacy. HB 177 provides exemptions and rules for electronic prescribing and outlines emergency fills by prescribers taking effect January 1, 2022; HB 272 places provisions on pharmacy benefit management companies which includes prohibiting claw backs and disclosure of rebates; HB 423 provides for expanded access to the prescription drug data base by interns and technicians; SB 138 impacts pharmacy benefit management companies; and SB 145 addresses pharmacy scope of practice to allow a pharmacist or pharmacy intern to dispense a prescription (1) in a quantity different than prescribed in the prescribed quantity is not commercially available and (2) in a different dosage form than prescribed if the pharmacist or pharmacy intern determines that a different dosage form is in the best interest of the patient.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The WA Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission is holding two calls per week during the COVID crisis, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:30 a.m. PACIFIC. They are discussing actions that may be needed to take the strain off pharmacists, interns, techs and assistants as they provide access to patients. To participate you can register at: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/6130868446164549132. If you have questions you would like the Commission to consider, please address them to COVID19.PQAC@doh.wa.gov
Also in Washington... Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed 2SSB 5601 relating to health care benefit managers into law. This “landmark” bill creates a new statute in Washington law specific to the regulation and registration of Health Care Benefit Managers (HCBM) and includes PBMs. Due to the lack of funding available, the Governor vetoed Section 22, the creation of the pharmacy contract work group. Rulemaking will begin this summer under the direction of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC).
Also in Washington... Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed SHB 2464, protecting patients from excessive medication charges. Beginning January 1, 2021, the maximum amount a PBM or health carrier may require a person to pay at the point of sale for a covered prescription medication is: the lesser of the applicable cost sharing (co-payment/co-insurance); or the amount the person would pay for the medication if purchased (cash) without using a health plan.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
A bill that will require health plans to provide payment for pharmacists’ services was signed by West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice. SB 787, sponsored by Sen. Eric Tarr, requires any health plan issued, amended or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2021 to cover any service provided by pharmacists’ within their scope of practice and requires health plans to have an adequate number of pharmacists in network for services beyond the plans’ drug benefit.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Pharmacy Examining Board approved a request from the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin to allow pharmacists to practice in locations that are not licensed pharmacies.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
The Alabama Medicaid Agency had modified the recipient signature requirement for services provided during the state of emergency effective March 16th. More information can be found at this link: https://medicaid.alabama.gov/alert_detail.aspx?ID=13755. Comprehensive data related to the state’s COVID response can be found on this link: https://medicaid.alabama.gov/news_detail.aspx?ID=13729
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Alaska Board of Pharmacy held an emergency meeting this week to draft emergency rules to deal with COVID-19. The rules, once approved by the Lt. Governor, will expand certified pharmacy technician duties, expand pharmacists’ duties allowing them to administer injectables according to the prescriber’s directions and eliminate the Alaska Jurisprudence Intern Practice Questionnaire, in addition to other emergency related changes. The Board will meet again this week to vote on the final changes. They will be posted with a FAQ sheet on the Board’s website upon finalization.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.