With support from NACDS, the Colorado Retail Council’s chain drug committee hosted a legislative luncheon in the Capitol where chain pharmacists educated lawmakers on the business of pharmacy and our 2018 legislative agenda which includes mandatory e-prescribing legislation. This annual event has proven to be an excellent way to enhance the visibility of chain pharmacies in the Capitol.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
On February 21, Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) convened a special fiscal session of the legislature to deal with an estimated $1 billion shortfall for its 2018-2019 budget beginning on Sunday, July 1, 2018.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
HB 2931, legislation that would mandate electronic prescribing introduced by Rep. Glen Mulready (R), is scheduled to be heard in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, February 28.
Also in Oklahoma…NACDS sent the Board of Pharmacy a letter requesting that they establish a Technician Task Force stakeholder group to explore all issues related to enhancing the use of technicians in retail community pharmacies.
Also in Oklahoma…On February 13, chain and independent pharmacists and pharmacy students participated in the annual Oklahoma Pharmacists Association’s Day at the Capitol which NACDS supported. After a briefing by Sen. Rob Standridge (R) and others, the group walked the halls to educate lawmakers on mandatory e-prescribing and other pending legislation important to pharmacies.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Legislation what will allow pharmacists to provide emergency 30-day refills has been signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf (D) as Act 8 of 2018. Specifically, Act 8 will allow pharmacist to provide a patient who is on a drug that is either essential to sustaining his life or to maintaining a consistent drug therapy, a 30-day refill without a prescription. Under current law, a pharmacist can only provide one refill of the prescription limited to a 72-hour supply. The act was effective upon signing.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Health and Human Services announced that beginning February 12, they began coverage of mosquito repellents for the prevention of the Zika virus. The benefit will run continuously year-round.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Gov. Rick Scott (R) has declared the opioid epidemic a state of emergency in Florida (see Executive Order 17-146). In response to the opioid crisis, the Agency for Health Care Administration is implementing provisions under the Florida Medicaid program to assist in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders. Florida Medicaid currently covers an array of behavioral health therapies and prescribed drugs to treat substance use disorders and does not limit the length of time recipients may receive treatment. You can find updated information on Medication-assisted treatment and additional changes related to prescribed drugs in the recent Provider Alert.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R ) signed into law SB 75 on February 8 pertaining to the substitution of interchangeable biosimilars with various options for pharmacists to communicate the product dispensed.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced he is advancing a 30-day budget amendment that would codify an Executive Order temporarily allowing pharmacists to administer flu vaccines to children ages two to 18 years. If enacted, this legislation would permanently suspend the section of the state education law that limits the authority of pharmacists to administer immunizing agents to anyone under 18 years of age. The budget amendment also includes language to encourage pharmacies to enroll in the New York State Vaccines for Children Program, which provides vaccines to children and individuals regardless of their ability to pay.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
NACDS sponsored and attended the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin’s Legislative Day on February 8. A primary focus was support for companion bills, AB 680 and SB 576, which would give pharmacists independent authority to provide vaccines listed on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice’s (ACIP) recommended vaccine schedules for anyone 6 years of age and older; allow pharmacists to provide vaccines not currently recommended by ACIP pursuant to a prescription, standing order or protocol for anyone 6 years of age and older; and allow pharmacists to provide vaccines to children younger than 6 years of age pursuant to a prescription.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.