Arkansas

Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced Tuesday that he will be convening a special session of the legislature on Thursday to address the budget shortfall. The Governor is seeking the authority to use the state’s $173 million unallocated budget surplus to fill some budget needs after his administration cut the state’s general revenue by $353 million to $5.38 billion in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020. 

Also in Arkansas... The Board of Pharmacy postponed their April Board meeting and informal conferences. 

Also in Arkansas... The Department of Health adopted a Final rule  effective March 5th that amends regulations requiring prescribers to check related to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) in certain situations and requires the PDMP Advisory Committee to include the chair of the State Medical Board and the State Board of Dental Examiners, or their designees. The rule also changes who may access the controlled substances database, revises requirements for the department regarding PDMP information, and specifies that a practitioner who purposely fails to access the PDMP may face disciplinary action.

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

2020-03-26T09:52:21-04:00March 26, 2020|Arkansas|

Colorado

The Retail Association (CRC) has been partnering with other pharmacy groups aggressively and successfully seeking waivers from Gov. Jared Polis (D) as a result of the declared health emergency.

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

2020-03-26T09:49:47-04:00March 26, 2020|Colorado|

Illinois

The Illinois Pharmacists Association has canceled its Legislative Day that was scheduled for April 22, 2020.

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

2020-03-26T09:47:34-04:00March 26, 2020|Illinois|

Indiana

Several bills of interest to pharmacy saw action this week: 

SB 241: This bill was signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) on March 18th and sponsored by Sen. Liz Brown (R). The law will help ensure that that pharmacies are fairly and properly reimbursed by requiring pharmacy contracts to have clearly defined drug pricing and reimbursement methodologies and audit practices. It also prohibits directly or indirectly retroactively denying a claim or aggregate of claims after the claim or aggregate of claims has been adjudicated and allows pharmacies to contest changes in their reimbursement.  It also requires the maintenance of adequate pharmacy networks to provide beneficiaries with equal access to all network pharmacies. NACDS applauds the work of the Indiana Pharmacists’ Association on this law. 

HB 1207: This bill, which addresses both copayment and scope of practice issues was signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) on March 18 and authored by Rep. Steven Davisson (R). The law prohibits payors from requiring a pharmacy to collect a higher copayment for a prescription drug from a patient than the plan allows the pharmacy or pharmacist to retain. On the scope of practice front, effective July 1, 2020, it will allow pharmacists to furnish epinephrine by standing order. Additionally, it will allow pharmacy technicians to provide influenza vaccines and transfer certain prescriptions. 

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

2020-03-26T09:46:17-04:00March 26, 2020|Indiana|

Kentucky

The General Assembly passed SB 50 sponsored by Sen. Max Wise (R). The bill will provide significant financial relief to pharmacies by prohibiting PBMs in Medicaid managed care from using fees or effective rates to lower reimbursement. Additionally, the bill will require the Department of Medicaid Services, with the input of pharmacy, to set reimbursement rates in Managed Care. The intent of this provision is to move to cost-based reimbursement plus a professional dispensing fee. NACDS supported the on-the-ground efforts of the Kentucky Retail Federation and member companies to support provisions of this bill that align with our campaign. The bill now goes to the Governor.

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

2020-03-26T09:41:28-04:00March 26, 2020|Kentucky|

Louisiana

After seeing several Emergency Orders allowing early refills, 90-day supply for maintenance medications, extending prior authorizations and waving copays, NACDS reached out to the Department of Health’s Medicaid and Pharmacy staff requesting that they consider additional COVID19 waivers. NACDS shared model language to access essential services at pharmacies, including encouraging the Department of Health to adopt a statewide protocol to allow pharmacists to test and treat for COVID-19 once the anti-viral comes to market. We also discussed 1135 waivers and their pending SPA which will allow pharmacists to be reimbursed for adult immunizations. 

Also in Louisiana... The Board of Pharmacy adopted an Emergency Rule placing limitations on the dispensing of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19. Link to all emergency rules adopted – http://www.doa.la.gov/Pages/osr/emr/emr.aspx and the guidance document can be found here –  

http://www.pharmacy.la.gov/assets/docs/EmergencyCommunications/2020_COVID-19/COVID-19_BoardGuidance_2020-0323_Rescind-ER.pdf 

Also in Louisiana... Prior to the postponement on the March 18th Board of Pharmacy’s Regulation Revision Committee meeting, NACDS submitted a comment letter on the telepharmacy rules, urging the Board to remove the arbitrary restrictions on location of dispensing sites, prescription volume, and staffing requirements. 

Also in Louisiana... The April 7, 2020 Pharmacy Legislative Day at the Capitol has been cancelled. 

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

2020-03-26T09:39:58-04:00March 26, 2020|Louisiana|

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