The Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) will hold its Pharmacy Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, September 17. Registration is available online through Tuesday, September 10. In addition to the Pharmacy Day at the Capitol, there will also be a Medication Disposal Event @ the Capitol. For more information, contact Brian Sapita, MPA Government Affairs Manager.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
The Mississippi Division of Medicaid is researching payment mechanisms pharmacists currently use to bill payers for vaccine administration. Pharmacy providers are being asked to complete this brief survey as it will be a valuable tool in future decision-making processes.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
A provision in SB 848 that was enacted earlier this year requires pharmacies to report any opioid as being used for the treatment of acute or chronic pain, and also to report any non-opioid controlled substance prescription. Since the bill included an emergency clause, it took effect immediately in May. The Office of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control (OBNDDC) notified NACDS last week that that they will give all pharmacies enough time to make the necessary programming changes to the Prescription Monitoring Program, but warnings will be sent starting on Sunday, September 1, if the data is not reported. OBNDDC did confirm that they will not begin taking enforcement actions on errors until Wednesday, January 1, 2020.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
If you are a pharmacist providing immunizations or CLIA-waived testing services, or a pharmacy technician or other health care professional assisting with these services, you must have live OSHA training on bloodborne pathogens every year or face fines of up to $90,000. The Tennessee Pharmacists Research and Education Foundation in partnership with other state associations are offering a webinar that meets all of OSHA’s training requirements, including the live component. This webinar will provide attendees with one (1.0) contact hour of live ACPE Continuing Pharmacy Education. Contact your state pharmacy association for information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Utah Pharmacy Association will host its 2019 Mid-Year Meeting on Saturday, September 14 at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy, UT. Details are available on the association’s website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
On August 12, the State Board of Pharmacy adopted a new email listserv called News and Information that will send subscribers notifications about board and committee meetings, board activities, rulemakings, new laws and regulations, press releases, consumer tips and other general news and information. To sign up, visit the Board of Pharmacy Email Registration page on the Board’s website.
Also in California… The State Board of Pharmacy has created a new guide called Pharmacy Inspections by the California State Board of Pharmacy” to help licensees understand and prepare for Board inspections. The brochure lists all documents that pharmacies are required to have readily available for inspectors to review.
Also in California… The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is hosting a second Medi-Cal Rx Pharmacy Carve Out Advisory Group meeting on Thursday, September 26 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific in the DHCS Auditorium at 1500 Capitol Avenue in Sacramento. The purpose of this second meeting is to facilitate further discussion, increase community awareness, share additional details around various topics necessary for the effective implementation of Medi-Cal Rx and provide an ongoing forum for stakeholder feedback to help further inform implementation efforts. Those unable to join in person can listen in by pre-registering for the webinar. For questions or comments, please email DHCS.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
On Wednesday, August 28 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mountain, the State Board of Pharmacy is hosting a stakeholder meeting to receive input regarding the implementation of several new laws. Copies of the proposed rule changes, HB19-1242, HB19-1109, HB19-1077, SB19-228 and SB19-005 are available for download. The meeting will be held at the Civic Center Plaza, 1560 Broadway, Room 110D (1st Floor). Those unable to attend may participate and must pre-register for the webinar.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Service published a bulletin with information about its medication synchronization program resulting from Public Act 100-0138.
Also in Illinois… Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) signed into law SB 1715 pertaining to pharmacist authority to administer long-acting injectables.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
At the August 14 Board of Pharmacy meeting, the Board reviewed NACDS’ comment letter with suggestions aimed at reducing prescriptive rules, including utilizing technologies, eliminating technician ratios and expanding duties. After a lengthy discussion, the Board referred 25 of the 50+ NACDS recommendations to the Regulation Revision Committee for further discussion and possible action. The agenda has been posted for the Regulation Revision Committee meeting at the Board office at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 17. Members are encouraged to participate.
Also in Louisiana… The Department of Health (LDH) Office of Public Health announced that Louisiana residents can now access on-line their immunization records in LINKS. By reducing the administrative burden of immunization record requests, LDH hopes that patients will take greater control over their health and improve immunization rates.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.