The Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin (PSW) is assisting the state Department of Justice with creating a list of local permanent drug disposal sites. If your pharmacy has a permanent drug disposal box, PSW asks that you email PSW’s Director of Public Affairs, Danielle Womack, with your pharmacy name and address.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Letters submitted by NACDS and others opposing HB18-1538, legislation that would require pharmacies to post for the public each pharmacy’s drug prices, was killed in the House Health, Insurance and Environment Committee last week by a surprising 12-1 vote.
Also in Colorado…HB 18-1284, The Patient Drug Cost Savings Act, passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate and was signed into law by Gov. John Hickenlooper (D). Among its various provisions, the newly enacted law states a carrier or PBM acting on behalf of the carrier shall not prohibit a pharmacy or pharmacist from providing a covered person with information about the amount of the covered person’s cost share for the covered person’s prescription drug and the clinical efficacy of a more affordable alternative drug among its various provisions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Human Services announced that, for a second consecutive year, they will receive grant money from the 21st Century Cures Act to fight the opioid crisis. Among its uses, the $16 million grant will enable enhancements to the prescription monitoring program.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
The Board of Pharmacy launched its new database on May 1. Online licensing and renewals are expected to be available on Tuesday, May 15.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
The Board of Pharmacy is hosting a free webinar on Thursday, May 10 at 12:00 pm Central, featuring an update from Michael Boeger, Administrator of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, and Tom Glenski, R.Ph., Chief Inspector. Additional details and information to register are available online.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Creighton University will host the 15th annual Immunize Nebraska program on Friday, May 25. The registration deadline is Tuesday, May 22. Organizers include the the Creighton University Health Sciences Continuing Education, Immunization Task Force Metro Omaha, Methodist Health System and the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
HB 2931, legislation mandating e-prescribing for Schedules II-V controlled substances by January 1, 2020, passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate and is headed to Gov. Mary Fallin (R) for consideration.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Under the law allowing pharmacies to dispense naloxone in the state, there is a requirement that the information about the naloxone prescription must be reported to the state’s prescription drug monitoring program, just as pharmacies do with all controlled substances prescriptions. Concern has been expressed to the Board of Pharmacy by the Health Care Authority that pharmacies are not in compliance with this reporting requirement. Subsequently, the Board sent a reminder to pharmacies.
Also in Oregon…The first meeting of the Rules Advisory Committee to discuss 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 will be held Thursday, May 24 at the Board of Pharmacy’s office in Portland. The public is welcome to attend.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
On Monday, April 30, the Department of Aging made available to prospective providers the ability to enroll via the web portal. Pharmacies, dispensing physicians and certified registered nurse practitioners will be able to use this web application to enroll in a variety of state health programs. Paper enrollment applications and agreements postmarked after Friday, May 25 will no longer be accepted. Providers submitting these documents will be contacted and directed to enroll using the portal. Additionally, beginning April 30, existing providers were able to update their information (i.e. a change in pharmacists) and enroll in additional programs using this web application. Questions may be directed to Provider Services at 1-800-835-4080.
Also in Pennsylvania…The House of Representatives voted unanimously (192-0) to advance HB 1800, legislation facilitating medication synchronization. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Eric Nelson (R), requires insurers to allow partial fills, prorated copays and payment of a full dispensing fee. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. NACDS continues to support the on-the-ground efforts of the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores to advance this legislation.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-837-4195.