Kentucky

Gov. Andy Beshear signed an Executive Order on March 10 giving emergency authority to pharmacists in reaction to the COVID-19, authorizing pharmacists in the Commonwealth to: dispense emergency refills of up to a thirty (30) day supply of any non-controlled medication for residents of any county of the Commonwealth; temporarily operate a pharmacy in an area not designated by permit; dispense drugs as needed to treat COVID-19 pursuant to protocols established by the CDC or the NIH or determined to be appropriate by the commissioner of public health or his designee to respond to the circumstances causing the emergency. The order expires on April 8, 2020 but may be renewed.

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

2020-03-12T10:31:23-04:00March 12, 2020|Kentucky|

Louisiana

Working with our in-state partner the Louisiana Retailers Association, NACDS was successful in identifying strong bill sponsors to pre-file two pharmacy bills prior to the start of the 60-day session which began on March 9th.

  • SB 296 by Sen. Regina Ashley Barrow would allow pharmacists to administer vaccines other than the influenza vaccine to individuals younger than 17 years without a prescription; and allow pharmacists to administer the influenza vaccine to individuals younger than 7 years without a prescription, consistent with pharmacists’ ability to provide such vaccines to older patient populations.
  • HB 459 by Rep. Joseph Stagni will would allow pharmacists to be reimbursed by commercial health plans for patient-care services within the pharmacist’s scope of practice

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

2020-03-12T10:26:15-04:00March 12, 2020|Louisiana|

Maryland

HB 512, legislation which would require controlled substances to be electronically prescribed, has passed the Maryland House of Delegates unanimously and been sent the Senate for consideration in advance of the crossover deadline. Sponsored by Del. Erik Barron (D), the bill is a joint initiative of NACDS and the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores (MACDS). Both organizations testified at hearings and have been on the ground advocating to advance this measure.

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

2020-03-12T10:23:27-04:00March 12, 2020|Maryland|

Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Human Services will host a webinar on Friday, March 20, 2020 at 1 pm Central to share information about the upcoming cost of dispensing survey. The survey will go out in April.

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

2020-03-12T10:22:10-04:00March 12, 2020|Minnesota|

Missouri

The Missouri Pharmacy Association (MPA), the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, and the University of Missouri Kansas City will offer training and resources to pharmacists in pain management guidelines and de-escalating therapy/tapering at a session held at the MPA Legislative Day on April 1, 2020.  Click here for more information and to register for this free event.

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

2020-03-12T10:19:03-04:00March 12, 2020|Missouri|

New Mexico

In an successful effort lead by the New Mexico Pharmacists Association and supported by the School of Pharmacy, pharmacy students, NACDS, state retailers, payors, and other pharmacy groups, HB 42 by Rep. Deborah Armstrong, the Pharmaceutical Services Reimbursement Parity bill which will require pharmacists to be paid by for patient care services within the pharmacist’s scope of practice, was signed into law by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) on March 6.

Also in New Mexico… Also approved was SM 19 sponsored by Sen. Steven Neville. It directs the Health and Human Services Department to conduct a pharmacy cost of dispensing study.

Also in New Mexico… On March 4, Gov. Grisham signed SB 1, the Wholesale Drug Importation Act, and HB 292 by Rep. Cadena that caps copays and out-of-pocket expenses for insulin at $25 per prescription for a 30-day supply.

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

2020-03-12T10:16:58-04:00March 12, 2020|New Mexico|

Texas

Citing coronavirus concerns, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick instructed Senate Chairs of Interim Study Committees on prescription drug costs to postpone hearings for a few weeks as Texas continues on-going efforts to contain and mitigate the impact of COVID-19.

Also in Texas… NACDS and our in-state partner, the Texas Federation of Drug Stores, accompanied chain pharmacists Ken Breda with Brookshire Brothers and Michelle Beall with Brookshire Grocery in district meetings with East Texas legislators to discuss our priority regulatory and legislative issues. Connecting pharmacists with their hometown legislator is essential to advancing our pharmacy healthcare agenda.

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

2020-03-12T10:12:07-04:00March 12, 2020|Texas|

Virginia

NACDS was on the ground in Richmond again this past weekend to help shepherd the final passage of the conference committee substitute report on HB 1506, just short of the Legislature’s adjournment. HB 1506 was sponsored by Del. Mark Sickles (D) at the request of the Virginia Pharmacists Association (VPhA). The bill would allow pharmacists to provide a wide range of services under statewide protocol including: contraceptives, epinephrine, prenatal vitamins, dietary fluoride supplements and prescription medications when the copay is less than the over the counter version of the same drug. The protocols must be developed by the Board of Pharmacy (BOP) in collaboration with the Board of Medicine (BOM) and Department of Health (VDH) by Nov. 1, 2020. Additionally, the bill requires the Boards and VDH to convene a workgroup to make recommendations on further statewide protocols allowing pharmacists to perform CLIA-waived tests; administer vaccines; and provide tobacco cessation, tuberculosis and HIV therapy; as well as over the counter drugs in certain cases. The workgroup recommendations are also due Nov. 1, 2020. The bill now goes to Gov. Ralph Northam (D) for consideration. NACDS will continue to work with VPhA and the administration to advocate for Gov. Northam’s signature into law.

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

2020-03-12T10:10:24-04:00March 12, 2020|Virginia|

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