Oregon

The Board of Pharmacy confirmed three chain pharmacy industry representatives have been selected from among a slate of industry candidates for the 11-member Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) that will consider revisions to proposed rules that would require all supervisors of Oregon pharmacists-in-charge (PICs) to be Oregon-licensed pharmacists and would give PICs carte blanch over the pharmacy operations without regard to company policy. The RAC will hold its first meeting June 29 from 1:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m. PDT in Portland.

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

2018-06-19T10:43:32-04:00June 14, 2018|Oregon|

Florida

Medicaid will host a conversation with staff from the state’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program known as E-FORCSE to provide insights into the new program requirements and opportunities following passage of HB 21. The webinar will be held on Tuesday, June 12 at 12:00 p.m. EDT. Register online after which you will receive an email confirmation. Please send questions to Medicaid staff.

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

2018-06-08T08:42:53-04:00June 7, 2018|Florida|

Michigan

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services updated the Michigan Opioid Laws Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) last week on June 1.

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

2018-06-08T08:40:43-04:00June 7, 2018|Michigan|

Mississippi

The Board of Pharmacy issued a statewide standing order allowing pharmacists to dispense by request naloxone without a prescription. Pharmacists are required to maintain proof of completion of a board-approved training program, to maintain a copy of the standing order, to fill and file the prescription as a legend drug and to provide proper counseling on the use of naloxone.

Also in Mississippi…The Division of Medicaid was instructed by CMS to change the way it reimburses for medical supplies, equipment and appliances and subsequently published a news notice. The agency is actively working with CMS and other stakeholders to address compliance with the rule while ensuring that non-physician providers continue to serve as a vital access point for patients enrolled in the Medicaid program.

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

2018-06-08T08:38:32-04:00June 7, 2018|Mississippi|

Tennessee

With the enactment of TN Together (SB 2257/ HB 1831), there are several new prescribing and dispensing limits that will become effective on Sunday, July 1 for new patients receiving prescriptions for opioids. The Tennessee Pharmacists Association is offering a one-hour webinar, “Updates on Dispensing of Opioids in Tennessee” on Wednesday and Thursday, June 13 and 14. Webinar registrants will also receive reference materials, flow charts and opioid conversion tables to help guide implementation of the new law. This is a knowledge-based CE activity that benefits pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who provide care to patients through the dispensing of opioids. There is a fee for this program.

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

2018-06-08T08:48:49-04:00June 7, 2018|Tennessee|

Alabama

The Medicaid Agency is pursuing a new initiative to transform the Medicaid delivery system through a flexible and more cost-efficient effort which builds off the Agency’s current case management program structure. A meeting to discuss this initiative will be held on Wednesday, June 13. The meeting is for providers, recipients, advocates and others with an interest in Medicaid.

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

2018-06-05T12:26:14-04:00May 31, 2018|Alabama|

Arkansas

The Board of Pharmacy will be meeting in Little Rock on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 5 and 6. The following regulatory changes will be considered at a public hearing on Wednesday, June 6:

  • REGULATION 5 – LONG-TERM-CARE FACILITIES: Proposed changes will update language regarding destruction of unused drugs for long-term care facilities to remove outdated language, update emergency kit guidelines for use in long-term care and establish a list of emergency medications that can be used in Crisis Stabilization Units.
  • REGULATION 7 – DRUG PRODUCTS/PRESCRIPTIONS: Proposed changes will reduce regulatory burdens when transferring prescriptions between pharmacies and add language to specify that a pharmacist cannot dispense more of a Schedule II narcotic medication than a prescriber can prescribe.
  • REGULATION 8 – WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTION: Proposed changes will clarify language in Regulation 8 to match statutory language in 17-92-108 and will also allow an outsourcing facility to operate under a single permit if they do not provide medications directly to patients.

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

2018-06-05T12:23:37-04:00May 31, 2018|Arkansas|

Colorado

HB 18-1313, legislation chain pharmacy supported that clarifies that pharmacists are practitioners for the purposes of prescribing under statewide protocols, passed both Houses and was sent to Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) for his consideration.

Also in Colorado…The Board of Pharmacy is convening a stakeholder meeting on Monday, June 11 to solicit input on the following proposed draft rules before commencing the formal rulemaking process.

  • Rule 3.05.00 – Would establish a new rule acknowledging pharmacist’s ability to issue a prescription for and dispense OTC medications to recipients under the Colorado Medical Assistance Act.
  • Rule 6.00.00 – The purpose of any proposed amendments to Board Rule 6.00.00 is to address the requirements of drug therapy management.
  • Proposed draft changes to Rule 14.00.40 would require any telepharmacy that dispenses more than 50,000 dispensing units in a calendar year to register with the Board as a prescription drug outlet.
  • Proposed draft changes to Rule 14.00.80 would establish an inspection and visitation timeline based on dispensing volume for consultant pharmacists with responsibility over telepharmacy sites.
  • Proposed draft revisions to Rule 17.00.00 outline the specific education / training to participate in statewide protocols as part of collaborative pharmacy.
  • Proposed draft revisions to Rule 17.00.00 Appendix A replace references for “prescribing” contraceptives pursuant to the statewide protocol with references to “dispensing” contraceptives pursuant to the statewide protocol
  • Proposed draft revisions to Rule 17.00.00 Appendix B replace references for “prescribing” smoking cessation products pursuant to the statewide protocol with references to “dispensing” smoking cessation products pursuant to the statewide protocol
  • Rule 25.00.14 – Would allow and address the corresponding expectations of involved pharmacists in the packaging and labeling of medication for a specific patient by an automated device at a specialized prescription drug outlet.

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

2018-06-05T12:18:07-04:00May 31, 2018|Colorado|

New Hampshire

The state legislature adjourned on May 23 after taking up several legislative proposals of interest. Gov. Christopher T. Sununu (R) signed into law SB 332, legislation facilitating medication synchronization, and SB 333, legislation allowing pharmacy interns to administer the same vaccinations for which pharmacists are authorized to administer. HB 1791, legislation permitting substitution of interchangeable biologics and declaring that contracts between insurers/PBMs and pharmacies shall not contain a provision prohibiting the pharmacist from providing certain information to an insured which would prove beneficial in lowering prescription drug costs, and HB 1822, legislation making hormonal contraceptives available directly from pharmacists via a standing order, have passed both legislative bodies and will be considered by the governor. Finally, HB 1418 establishes a commission to study greater transparency in pharmaceutical costs and drug rebate programs. The study report is due by Thursday, November 1.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

2018-06-05T12:12:25-04:00May 31, 2018|New Hampshire|

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