In The States – Page 349 – Weekly news about states

Missouri

The Board of Pharmacy created the Rx Cares for Missouri Medication Destruction and Disposal Program, which will provide resources for approved entities to collect medication for disposal. Approved participants will be provided a collection receptable and required inner liners at no cost.

Also in Missouri… The summer newsletter of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs details information about the implementation of SB 514, including its provisions to require e-prescribing of controlled substances by Friday, January 1, 2021.

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

Michael Angeloni2019-09-19T12:09:45-04:00September 19, 2019|Missouri|

California

NACDS and our in-state partner, the California Retailers Association, submitted a joint letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) urging him to sign into law AB 690, legislation that we successfully amended containing a provision allowing a pharmacy damaged or destroyed during a natural disaster to relocate without changing its pharmacy license.

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

Michael Angeloni2019-09-12T11:26:51-04:00September 12, 2019|California|

South Carolina

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) is beginning 2019 provider revalidation. In the bulletin dated April 20, 2015, providers were informed their enrollment information must be revalidated, per the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). To avoid risk of termination in the SCDHHS Healthy Connections Medicaid program, impacted providers must complete and submit an enrollment application 30 days from the date of their official revalidation notification letter. Providers should not begin the revalidation process until they receive notification. The notification contains pertinent information needed to start and complete the revalidation process.

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

Michael Angeloni2019-09-12T11:25:43-04:00September 12, 2019|South Carolina|

Texas

In response to a request from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP), NACDS submitted a 10-page letter detailing Medicaid cost-saving suggestions. The VDP was charged with the responsibility of evaluating strategies and submitting a report with findings and recommendations for achieving cost savings to the Senate Finance Committee, House Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Budget Board, Governor and permanent standing committees in the House of Representatives and Senate with jurisdiction over HHSC by Tuesday, September 1, 2020.

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

Michael Angeloni2019-09-12T14:12:36-04:00September 12, 2019|Texas|

Louisiana

The Department of Health reminded Medicaid providers that the Emergency Overrides Hurricane season continues through Saturday, November 30. When severe weather causes residents to evacuate and businesses to close early, pharmacy providers are allowed to fill a prescription with a minimum three-day emergency supply. Controlled substances and specialty drugs are NOT included in the emergency fill provision. The current Medicaid Immunization Coverage for Fee-for-Service and Managed Care Organizations chart includes information on vaccines and how they are covered.

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

Michael Angeloni2019-09-05T10:04:31-04:00September 5, 2019|Louisiana|

Oklahoma

The Health Care Authority (OHCA) that oversees the Medicaid SoonerCare program, appointed Melody Anthony chief state Medicaid director and chief operating officer. She has previously served as deputy state Medicaid director.

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

Michael Angeloni2019-09-05T10:03:30-04:00September 5, 2019|Oklahoma|

Pennsylvania

The Department of Health has posted guidance on Act 96 of 2018, which will require all controlled substance prescriptions (with some exceptions) to be electronically prescribed effective Thursday, October 24.

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

Michael Angeloni2019-09-05T10:00:53-04:00September 5, 2019|Pennsylvania|

Washington

Washington State Health Officer Dr. Kathryn Lofy signed a statewide standing order allowing naloxone to be purchased at pharmacies in the state without a prescription.

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

Michael Angeloni2019-09-05T09:58:50-04:00September 5, 2019|Washington|

California

The coalition formed by the California Pharmacists Association (CPhA), the Community Pharmacy Advocacy Group was notified on August 27 that the Californians for Access to Life-Saving Medicine’s Medi-Cal NADAC court hearing scheduled at the U.S Courthouse in Oakland on Friday, August 30 was cancelled. More than 92 pharmacies had submitted declarations stating how the clawbacks and continued flawed NADAC methodology will affect their pharmacy operations and patient access. Next step is that the court is expected to issue a written decision.

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

Michael Angeloni2019-08-29T10:07:54-04:00August 29, 2019|California|