South Dakota
The Board of Pharmacy has put the newest version of its Pharmacy Law Bookon its website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Wisconsin
SB 575, legislation allowing pharmacists to substitute interchangeable biologic drugs and establishing guidelines for notification, has been signed by Gov. Scott Walker (R) with an effective date of March 30. For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Also in Wisconsin… Gov. Walker signed into law AB 681, which will require minors to have a prescription to purchase products containing dextromethorphan, effective Monday, April 1, 2019.
Also in Wisconsin… the Pharmacy Examining Board announced its adopted rules updating standards for sterile and nonsterile compounding to align with USP Chapters <795> and <797> effective Thursday, November 1, 2018.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Arizona
Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed into law HB 2633 amending the Opioid Law enacted earlier this year during a Special Session. The newly enacted law eliminates the need for pharmacists to verify with the prescriber when a prescription exceeds the state limit for Scheduled II controlled substances containing opioids, eliminates pharmacists having to confirm with the prescriber and the Board of Pharmacy if a prescriber has received a waiver and allows the Board of Pharmacy to waive redcap requirements if it’s not feasible because of specific dosage form or type of packaging.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Colorado
HB 18-1279, mandatory e-prescribing legislation NACDS and a broad coalition support, was heard in the House Health, Insurance and Environment Committee on March 29.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Florida
HB 351, sponsored by Rep. David Santiago (R), was signed by Gov. Rick Scott (R) on March 23. Effective Sunday, July 1, contracts with a PBM shall prohibit the limitation of a pharmacy’s or pharmacist’s ability to substitute a less expensive, generically equivalent drug or to disclose whether a subscriber’s cost-sharing obligation exceeds the retail price for a covered prescription drug and availability of a more affordable alternative drug. Additionally, effective Tuesday, January 1, 2019, PBMs are required to register with the Office of Insurance Regulation and pay a registration fee and a renewal fee every two years from the date of initial certification, both of which shall not exceed $500 and are non-refundable. The Office must issue a registration certificate upon receipt of a completed registration form and adopt rules.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Kentucky
SB 6, a bill that originally would have required pharmacies and practitioners to distribute or sell drug sequestration or deactivation products with every controlled substance prescription, was significantly amended in the House Health and Family Services Committee, subsequently passed both chambers and will be sent to the Governor for signing. The compromise amendment makes it optional for pharmacies to sell or distribute the drug disposal products. However, it requires pharmacies and practitioners to inform patients filling certain controlled substances with information on safe drug disposal methods either verbally, in written format or through signage. The bill also contains graded penalties for pharmacies and practitioners who violate the law, starting at $25 for a first offense. The bill encourages manufacturers of the drug disposal technologies to enter into consignment-reimbursement contracts with pharmacies to stock their products. The Legislature is currently scheduled to adjourn sine die on Saturday, April 14, and the law would be effective 90 days after sine die. NACDS supported the on-the-ground efforts of the Kentucky Retail Federation to amend this bill.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Pennsylvania
HB 1800, legislation related to pharmacists performing medication synchronization, has been introduced with 43 co-sponsors. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Eric Nelson (R), requires insurers to allow partial fills, prorates copays and requires a full dispensing fee. Committee consideration of this legislation, an initiative of the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores, is anticipated this spring.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
West Virginia
HB 4524, legislation allowing pharmacists to substitute interchangeable biologic drugs and establishes guidelines for notification, has been signed by Gov. Jim Justice (R) with an effective date of Friday, June 8.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Arkansas
As a result of the special session convened last week, Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) signed into law a PBM licensure bill that grants power to the state’s Insurance Department to regulate how PBMs operate in the state.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.