Gov. Laura Kelly (D) signed into law HB 2119, mandating electronic prescribing of Schedule II-IV controlled substances beginning Thursday, July 1, 2021, and permitting a licensed pharmacist to administer an injectable drug in certain situations. Previously, these issues were standalone bills – HB 2389 and HB 2082, respectively.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Gov. Larry Hogan (R) has signed HB 316 into law, which will require all healthcare practitioners to report immunizations they administer to Immunet, the state’s vaccine registry. The law was a priority of the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores as a precursor to expanding pharmacists’ immunization authority and will be effective Tuesday, October 1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Gov. Steve Bullock (D) signed HB 231, expanding immunization services provided by pharmacists to include the administration of vaccines to individuals seven years of age and older as provided by the most recent guidelines by vaccine and age group as published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and under collaborative practice agreements.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
SB 283, legislation that included a provision that would have mandated that all prescriptions be entered into the Prescription Monitoring Program was successfully amended by NACDS’ in-state partners, the Retail Association of Nevada.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy issued updated guidance documents effective May 13 related to dispensing naltrexone without a prescription and dispensing of emergency supply of medication without a prescription.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Marty Hendrick, Pharm. D, D.Ph., has been named as the new executive director of the Board of Pharmacy effective May 28. Previously, Dr. Hendrick served as a compliance officer for the Board and worked in both independent and chain pharmacies.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
At the May 7 Board of Pharmacy meeting, the Board adopted Option 3, higher fees for both pharmacists and pharmacies to help pay for the integration of the prescription monitoring program. The proposed rule will be finalized at the next Board meeting in August.
Also in Texas… The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced that later this year HHSC will expand the Medicaid and CHIP benefit to allow pharmacists “to administer certain medications in a pharmacy setting and includes the administration of certain long-acting anti-psychotics, Vivitrol, and flu vaccines. These products will be added to the Medicaid and CHIP formularies. Pharmacies must be reimbursed for the ingredient cost, dispensing fee, and applicable administration fees for each claim processed.” The Vendor Drug Program will publish additional information in the coming weeks.
Also in Texas… HB 4285, legislation pharmacies supported that would have allowed pharmacists to furnish medication under a physician protocol to anyone 18 years of age and older after 5:00 p.m. weekdays and on weekends, if the results of a CLIA-waived test for influenza are positive, was heard in the House Public Health Committee on May 1.
Also in Texas… HB 3496, legislation that requires a sworn disclosure statement for pharmacies that NACDS successfully amended on behalf of chain pharmacies that are not publicly traded companies, passed the House on May 8.
Also in Texas… The House passed HB 2536, a drug transparency bill requiring certain drug cost information to be provided by drug manufacturers, PBMs and health plans to the Health and Human Services Commission and the Department of Insurance which will be posted on a state website. (HB2536) .
Also in Texas… HB 3441/HB 1757, two bills promoted by pharmacies ensuring payment parity for pharmacies and recognizing pharmacists as practitioners in the Insurance code passed both chambers and will be sent to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to sign into law.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Gov. Jay Inslee (D) has signed into law Substitute SB 5380 (Chapter 314, 2019 Laws) – the Governor’s comprehensive opioid legislation – mandating e-prescribing of Schedule II through V controlled substances with exceptions effective January 1, 2021, increasing the frequency of reporting by dispensing to the state’s prescription monitoring program and expanding options for a pharmacist to dispense an opioid overdose reversal medication pursuant to a collaborative drug therapy agreement, standing order, or protocol in addition to a prescription. It also relieves the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission, formerly the Board of Pharmacy, from having to approve all electronic systems.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will co-sponsor provider and facility training with Keystone Peer Review Organization (KEPRO), the SCDHHS’ quality improvement organization. The annual quality improvement training includes requirements, updates and a review of the process and procedures for prior authorization. The online training sessions will be held Tuesday, May 14 and Thursday, May 16, at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Registration is not required. For questions about the KEPRO training, providers may contact KEPRO at 855-326-5219 or by email.