Nebraska
The Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board posted the February 13 draft minutes. The next meeting will be held on May 7.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
New York
On March 5th, the NYRx Clinical Call Center reported that they are experiencing higher than normal call and fax volume. Prescribers should not send duplicate prior authorization (PA) requests to NYRx. Prescribers may experience a higher volume of requests for PA, but only one submission is necessary. Pharmacies should only request one PA for each member for each drug. Duplicate requests slow down the processing time at the NYRx Clinical Call Center. For more information, refer to NYRx Notice to Providers: Duplicate Prior Authorization Requests. To review how to submit a PA to NYRx, refer to the NYRx Prior Authorization Submission Guide.
Enhancements have been made to the NYRx clinical criteria system editing. The clinical criteria have not changed and should be reviewed on the NYRx Preferred Drug List prior to obtaining a PA. Preferred products should be prescribed when clinically appropriate. In most cases, preferred products will not require a PA when prescribed according to FDA (FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION) labeling. To review NYRx preferred products only, refer to the NYRx Preferred Drug Quick List.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Missouri
The House Health & Mental Health Committee held a hearing Monday on PBM reform legislation, HB 1627 by Rep. Dale Wright. More than 40 pharmacists showed up at the Capitol to voice their support. The theme of the day was “Enough is enough” with PBM abuses. Go to the Missouri Pharmacy Association’s (MPA) website for more information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Oregon
On March 4, the Board of Pharmacy issued this temporary rule notice:
- OAR 855-115-0345 Pharmacist- Services: Prescribing – Protocol Compendium – Vaccines – Coronavirus 19 (Effective March 4, 2024)
- Coronavirus 19 protocol
This revised protocol permits pharmacists to provide an additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose to adults ages 65 years and older in alignment with the recent recommendation of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP).
Also on Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy issued the following temporary rule notice:
- OAR 855-115-0345 Pharmacist- Services: Prescribing – Protocol Compendium Vaccines (Effective March 1, 2024)
- Standard Protocol for All Vaccines: Cover Page & Assessment and Treatment Care Pathway
- Standard Protocol for All Vaccines: Managing Adverse Reactions
- Cholera
- Coronavirus 19
- Haemophilus Influenzae type b
- Hepatitis A containing vaccines
- Hepatitis B containing vaccines
- Human Papillomavirus
- Influenza Inactivated Influenza Vaccines and Recombinant Influenza Vaccines 2023-2024
- Influenza Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine 2023-2024
- Japanese Encephalitis
- Measles, Mumps & Rubella containing vaccines
- Meningococcal containing vaccines
- Pneumococcal
- Polio
- Rabies
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus
- Tetanus, Diphtheria containing vaccines
- Typhoid
- Varicella containing vaccines
- Yellow Fever
- Zoster
Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy permanently repealed the following rules at the Special February 23, 2024, Board Meeting: OAR 855-019-0270, OAR 855-019-0280, OAR 855-019-0290 and OAR 855-025-0024 related to Pharmacist/COPT/PT Administration of Vaccines (Effective February 29, 2024)
Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy permanently adopted the following rule at the February 2024 Board Meeting: OAR 855-115-0150 Pharmacist- Prohibited Practices (Effective March 1, 2024). Please note this rulemaking removes “Diagnosis” from the list of prohibited practices.
Finally in Oregon, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board posted the draft agenda for its next meeting on March 20. Please register in advance of the meeting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Pennsylvania
The Board of Pharmacy’s proposed pharmacy technician registration regs were published on March 2 and are now before the Independent Regulatory Review Commission and the designated standing committees of the PA House and Senate for consideration. Comments are due to IRRC by April 1; after reviewing IRRC will provide any comments back to the BOP (Board of Pharmacy) by May 1. Members may submit comments to Jill McCormack by March 20.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Rhode Island
Please see the March 2024 Provider Update RI Medicaid. All previous provider updates may also be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Tennessee
The Tennessee House Government Operations Committee met and voted on proposed Board of Pharmacy rules packets as the last step in the approval process. Several presented rules were approved, including those for the provision of ivermectin and accommodations for visually impaired patients, but the Committee disapproved the proposed rule 1140-07 Sterile Compounding. Rules pertaining to complying with USP recommendations will not be enforceable by TN inspectors on March 14 as originally anticipated; however, federal agencies still require compliance. TPA is working closely with the Department of Health on this issue and will share more details as they become available.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
Texas was one of 15 states who held their primary election contest on Super Tuesday. The ballot included President, U.S. Senator, all 38 U.S. House seats, Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals Justices, district attorney’s and sheriffs, all 150 Members of the Texas House of Representatives and 15 State Senate seats. The House races were dominated the headlines with border, school choice/vouchers, and the Articles of Impeachment that were brought by the Republican-controlled House against the sitting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R). Nine incumbents lost their seats, and nine incumbents are facing a primary runoff on May 28th.nIn fact, for the first time in more than 50 years, the Speaker of the House, Dade Phelan (R) has been forced into a runoff election.
Also in Texas, the Health, and Human Services Commission (HHSC) selected Gainwell Technologies as the pharmacy benefit administrator for the Texas Vendor Drug (VDP) Program. For pharmacies:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Utah
Effective February 25, 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services adopted a rule implementing immunization requirements of Title 53G, Chapter 9. Part 3 Immunization Requirements. It establishes minimum immunization requirements for attendance at a public, private, elementary, or secondary school through grade 12, nursery school or kindergarten, licensed day care center, childcare facility, family home care or Head Start program in this state. Of note, pharmacists are among the licensed health care providers who may verify the administration of vaccines on any immunization record. (Utah State Bulletin 2024-03-01, p.92)
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.