Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed A8880A/A1010B, an Act Prohibiting Label Restrictions of Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs. The bill makes it illegal to knowingly alter, mutilate, destroy, obstruct or remove by means of a price sticker or otherwise the whole or any part of the label, including where applicable the expiration date displayed thereon, of any OTC drug or cosmetic.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
On October 25, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) approved the state’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) extension request to waive the statutory definition of “food” under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended and accompanying regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. This extension waiver approval allows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households statewide, including those with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, to continue to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through December 4, in order to increase access to food after power outages as a result of Tropical Storm Helene that began on September 26. Customer questions should be directed to the EBT Call Center at 1-866-719-0141.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Effective January 1, 2025, At-home COVID-19 test kits will no longer be covered under pharmacy benefits for Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) and managed care members. Any claims received on or after January 1 will result in a rejection. Patients may obtain free At-home COVID-19 test kits and access additional resources for free testing by visiting the Department of Health and Human Services’ COVID testing page. If you have questions, please contact the Gainwell single PBM (SPBM) Customer Service Center at 833-491-0344.
Also in Ohio, the Board of Pharmacy released its 2025 meeting schedule.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The December 11-12, 2024 Board of Pharmacy Meeting agenda and meeting materials are now available. Please note that on December 11, the board will meet in Executive Session immediately after recusal announcements and anticipates resuming Open Session between 4:00 pm-5:00 pm. Also please note that on December 12, the board will meet in Executive Session after roll call and anticipates resuming Open Session at 1:00 pm. The Public may attend the board meeting in person during Open Session. Please see the meeting agenda for additional meeting information. Please be advised that additional meeting materials may be added to the agenda prior to the board meeting. Visit the board website for current meeting materials.
Also in Oregon, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted an agenda for its December 18 meeting. Please note the “Board discussion and vote on both the policy recommendations for the Oregon Legislature and the annual report to the Oregon Legislature as well as the board’s receipt of the initial, preliminary list of prescription drugs and insulin for affordability review”. You must register in advance to participate.
Finally in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy published its November 2024 Newsletter to Promote Pharmacy and Drug Law Compliance.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Medicaid Program posted its December 2024 Provider Update. All previous provider updates may be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Effective for dates of service on or after January 1, 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will require prior authorization (PA) for the physician-administered drugs to ensure use is consistent with the medication’s indication(s) and appropriate clinical guidelines. This change only applies to medications administered to Healthy Connections Medicaid members enrolled in the Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) program.
The list of physician-administered drugs for which a PA is required when administered to a FFS Medicaid member is available in the Procedure Codes section of the Physicians Services Provider Manual on the SCDHHS website. The list in the manual will be updated with the additional physician-administered drugs requiring a PA beginning January 1, 2025. The list of additional drugs is available online.
Requests for PA and questions about this bulletin should be submitted to Prime Therapeutics at https://gatewaypa.com or by calling (800) 424-8219 between 8:00 am-5:00 pm Monday-Friday.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
TennCare released a document summarizing the temporary changes effective September 27, 2024, in counties impacted by Hurricane Helene, aligning with Gov. Bill Lee’s (R) Executive Order No. 105. These changes aim to provide relief to victims of severe weather and flooding and will remain in effect until December 25.
Also in Tennessee, TennCare has made numerous changes to the TennCare Pharmacy Program. Please visit the Optum landing page for these updates. For more information, contact OptumRx’s Pharmacy Support Center at 866-434-5520.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Board of Pharmacy posted the rules adopted at the November 5 quarterly board meeting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Department of Health (VDH) issued a clinician’s letter related to an increase in pneumonia and pertussis cases in the Commonwealth. This and other provider communications are also available on the VDH webpage.
Also in Virginia, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a report to the Governor and General Assembly recommending that the state not move forward with a Drug Importation Program. The report is the result of a legislatively mandated workgroup on “The Feasibility of a Wholesale Prescription Drug Importation Program” that found that there was no guarantee of cost savings by implementing an importation program and that the better course of action was to wait and see if other states’ programs move forward with any positive outcomes.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.