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.
At its May 1 meeting, the State Board of Pharmacy adopted proposed amendments to 22 TAC sec 291.32 (c)(2)(D) to allow for the utilization of automated checking devices to satisfy final product verification requirements.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health Profession/Board of Pharmacy announced the denial of a petition to amend regulations under 19 VAC 110-20 to revise the requirement for retention of records beyond two years to include records of vaccine administration. The board decided to take no action at this time but referred the request to the Regulation Committee to determine what would be involved in requiring practitioners who administer immunizations to report to the Virginia Immunization Information System database.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-837-4195.
Gov. Scott Walker (R) signed into law AB 608 pertaining to remote dispensing. The law clarified that pharmacists can delegate to unlicensed personnel, such as pharmacy technicians, and that pharmacy technicians can dispense prescriptions, at remote dispensing locations.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Medicaid is proposing to make a small change in the 271 Eligibility response, but would like to gauge impact to vendors before making the change. If you utilize the 271 Eligibility response, either real-time or batch, please have your software vendor or clearinghouse fill out the following brief survey so that Medicaid staff can determine the potential impact of the proposed change. The survey needs to be completed by Wednesday, May 9.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
In an effort to better explain the new Board of Pharmacy regulation on Inventory Reconciliation Report of Controlled Substances that went into effect on April 1, the Board developed answers to a list of frequently asked questions. A summary on the regulation and FAQs may be viewed on the board’s website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
In advance of the Board of Pharmacy’s April 17 stakeholder meeting on proposed draft rules on perpetual inventory, NACDS provided detailed comments that the proposal is too broad.
Also in Colorado…HB 18-1279, legislation chain pharmacies support that would mandate e-prescribing, passed the House on April 17 by a close 33-30 vote. However, the bill failed to advance and died in the Senate State,Veterans and Military Affairs Committee on April 25.
Also in Colorado…On Friday, May 11, the Department of Health Care Financing and Policy will hold a hearing on a proposed rule that will increase the durable medical equipment (DME) encounter rate by 1.402%.
Also in Colorado…Working with our in-state partners, NACDS is opposing HB18-1538, legislation that would require pharmacies to post for the public each pharmacy’s drug prices promptly at the pharmacy and on the pharmacy’s website, including the date of the price change. The Board of Pharmacy is required to establish rules on price disclosures by pharmacies. Most concerning is that if the Board determines that a pharmacy does not comply with the requirements, this constitutes unprofessional conduct and the pharmacy/pharmacist may be subject to disciplinary action. The bill is scheduled to be heard on April 26 in the House Health, Insurance and Environment Committee.
Also in Colorado…Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) signed into law HB 18-1112, legislation requiring pharmacists be paid for healthcare services in professional shortage areas.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.