AB 310, legislation mandating electronic prescribing of controlled substances introduced by Speaker Jason Frierson (D) that has broad-based support from pharmacies, the business community, law enforcement, and prescribers and that passed the Assembly two weeks ago, was heard in the Senate Business and Commerce Committee on May 1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Effective May 1, the Medicaid single preferred drug list took effect for all managed care organizations and Medicaid fee-for-service.
Also in Louisiana…In partnership with the Louisiana Pharmacists Association, The University of Louisiana Monroe College of Pharmacy and the Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy, NACDS co-sponsored the Pharmacy Legislative Day at the Capitol on April 29. In the rotunda, pharmacists and students set up displays and provided screenings and education to state lawmakers, legislative staff, lobbyists and tourists.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn at midnight on Friday, May 3.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
SB 617, legislation introduced by Sen. Steve Glazer (D), Chair of the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee, would allow pharmacies with collective bargaining agreements and meeting certain requirements to petition the Board of Pharmacy to increase the pharmacy technician to pharmacist ratio from 1:1 to 3:1. The bill was amended and passed the Committee on April 22 and has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
On April 24, the Arkansas General Assembly adjourned its 88-day session. Unless otherwise specified, all new laws will go into effect 90 days post adjournment on Tuesday,
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
SB 176, legislation that would require all controlled substance prescriptions to be e-prescribed, has been signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) after passing both chambers unanimously. The law will be effective Friday, January 1, 2021, and contains exceptions similar to those in NACDS’ model language. NACDS appreciates the leadership of Sen. Ron Grooms (R) and Rep. Steve Davisson (R), as well as the on-the-ground efforts of the Indiana Retail Council in passing this bill.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Pennsylvania’s Pharmaceutical Contract for the Elderly (PACE) Program announced that it began paying pharmacies for medication synchronization services for patients on April 15. The program will be under the PACE side of the benefit, rather than Part D-based. The program is a result of an agreed to amendment proposed jointly by NACDS and the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores in legislation that passed in the last legislative session.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Legislation considered a prelude to efforts to further expanding pharmacists’ immunization authority is on its way to Gov. Larry Hogan (R). HB 316, sponsored by Del. Ariana Kelly (D), will require all health care providers who administer a vaccine to report it to the Maryland immunization registry, ImmuNet. Once signed, HB 316 will be effective Tuesday, October 1. The legislation was an initiative of the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores. NACDS thanks the Maryland Retail Association for its on-the-ground work in advancing this bill.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Gov. Steve Bullock (D) signed into law HB 86 (Chapter Number 89) which requires a positive ID for controlled substances not dispensed directly to the patient with exceptions and recordkeeping requirements; a 7-day prescription limit on opioids to an opioid naïve patient; and mandatory use of the prescription drug registry by a prescriber or an agent of the prescriber prior to issuing a prescription for an opioid or a benzodiazepine with exceptions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.