South Carolina

The General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 10 as required by South Carolina law. Per the sine die resolution, bills with conference committees appointed can meet to work on conference reports. NACDS’ priority legislation, H. 3988 (PREP (Pre exposure Prophylaxis) codification) was amended in the Seante, but the House did not concur with Senate changes, sending the bill to conference committee. Assigned Conferees are Senators Cromer, Martin and Hutto and Representatives Mark Smith, Davis, and W. Jones.  

Also in South Carolina, on May 8, the Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) announced it will implement a single, state-directed pharmacy benefit preferred drug list (PDL) for all providers enrolled in the Healthy Connections Medicaid program. This change, which was announced in Medicaid bulletin MB# 24-016, is effective July 1, 2024.

As announced in MB# 24-016, SCDHHS will host two live provider training webinars on May 22 from 7:30 am-9:00 am and from 12:30 pm -2:00 pm. These provider training sessions will be geared toward prescribers and dispensers. The training will include subject matter expert panelists to answer questions about the transition to the single PDL.

Providers can register for the training webinars at this registration link. Providers can submit questions about the transition to the single PDL when registering for one of the webinars.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2024-05-16T15:56:57-04:00May 16, 2024|South Carolina|

Tennessee

The Board of Pharmacy met on May 7 and provided several key regulatory insights:  

  • BOP CE (Continuing Education) Violations Policy has been updated on the website and will be effective July 1, 2024. The new policy clarifies disciplinary action procedures, including signing an Agreed Citation if found to be in violation of the policy. 
  • BOP has granted its Executive Director the authority to issue waivers for the rule requiring out-of-state pharmacists to be licensed for 12 months before being eligible for a state license. 
  • Licensing fees will increase across the board as the BOP works to resolve its budget. 
  • BOP will use the NABP form for conducting GAP analysis during compounding facility inspections. The updated form will be under “Applications” on the BOP website. 
  • BOP Town Hall on compounding rules will be August 21. A virtual meeting link will be created, and the public can also attend in-person at 665 Mainstream Drive in Nashville. 

The next BOP Rules Review meeting will be held on June 13 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm CT. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2024-05-16T15:56:17-04:00May 16, 2024|Tennessee|

Texas

NACDS met with Rep. Stephanie Klick (R), Chair of the House Public Health Committee, in her Ft. Worth district. The meeting in her district was a valuable opportunity to reconnect with Chair Klick thanking her for her leadership and support in promoting patient access to healthcare services. (Photo: Left to right: Mary Staples, NACDS – Cody Cribb & Stephanie McConnell, Walgreens – Texas State Rep. Stephanie Klick – Jill Lester & Jeff Loesch, Kroger). 

Also in Texas, the Texas Federation of Drug Stores held a pharmacy advocacy training program and its quarterly meeting prioritizing chain pharmacy’s 2025 legislative agenda. 

Finally in Texas, Speaker Dade Phelan (R) announced the 2024 Interim Charges for the House of Representatives. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

2024-05-16T15:55:37-04:00May 16, 2024|Texas|

Washington

The Health Care Authority (HCA) is extending the April 27 implementation of the Pharmacy Point of Sale (POS) Replacement system. The new targeted go live date is June 8. 

Also in Washington, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) revised its Ancillary Utilization Plans and the Administration of Drugs and Devices guidance document to include pharmacy assistants with a technician in training endorsement that are enrolled in a commission-approved Pharmacy Technician Education and Training Program. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

2024-05-16T15:54:30-04:00May 16, 2024|Washington|

Alaska

The Executive Administrator of the Board of Pharmacy, Michael Bowles, provided additional guidance on the new regulations on Pharmacist-in-Charge (PIC) requirements, Indian Health Service (IHS) pharmacies and self-inspection forms. 

  1. Self-inspection forms no longer need to be submitted to the board for renewals of pharmacies or any other facility type. Self-inspections still need to occur, but the form should be maintained at your pharmacy/facility and made available to the board upon request. The attestation mentioned in the regulation below is on the renewal applications.   

12 AAC 52.300. LICENSE AND REGISTRATION RENEWAL. 

(a) Pharmacy, remote pharmacy, wholesale drug distributor, outsourcing facility, third-party logistics provider, manufacturer, pharmacist, pharmacy technician and drug room licenses must be renewed biennially on or before a date set by the department. 

(b) An applicant for renewal of a pharmacy, wholesale drug distributor, outsourcing facility, third-party logistics provider, manufacturer or drug room license must submit on or before the license expiration date 

(3) an attestation that a self-inspection of the premises using the form provided by the department was completed within the last two years or since the last time the license was initially issued; the applicant must retain the self-inspection and make it available to the board upon request for the duration of the licensing period in which it was completed. 

  1. The PIC of an Alaska licensed pharmacy located outside of Alaska is required to be licensed in Alaska and have an active Alaska Pharmacist license. This must be the actual PIC of the pharmacy, not a separate staff pharmacist/owner/etc. designated by the pharmacy as “the Alaska PIC.” 

  

  1. Pharmacies under the IHS that hold an Alaska Pharmacy license must have an active Alaska Pharmacist license. The IHS exemption currently in place through May 18 does not extend to the PIC.  

  12 AAC 52.020. PHARMACY LICENSE. 

(a) An applicant for a pharmacy license shall submit the items required in (b) of this section for review and approval by the executive administrator. An application that does not clearly demonstrate qualifications for licensure must be reviewed and approved by the board. 

(b) An applicant for a pharmacy license shall submit 

(1) a complete notarized application on a form provided by the department that includes 

(F) the name, active Alaska license number and contact information for the pharmacist-in-charge. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

2024-05-09T11:52:20-04:00May 9, 2024|Alaska|

Arizona

Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) signed HB (House Bill) 2582 (Chapter 123), legislation permitting pharmacists to enter into collaborative practice agreements with a state-licensed certified nurse midwife or a physician assistant.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2024-05-09T11:50:54-04:00May 9, 2024|Arizona|

Arkansas

A draft emergency rule by the Insurance Commissioner Alan McClain that would require reimbursement for pharmacies for prescription drug or device services at a rate that is no less than 110% of the current National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) plus a $10.50 dispensing fee for all generic and branded drug transactions or services has hit a roadblock. 

Also in Arkansas, the next meeting of the Board of Pharmacy is on June 4 and 5.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

2024-05-09T11:50:15-04:00May 9, 2024|Arkansas|

California

The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts, weekly notices, and monthly bulletin on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note the “Pharmacy Provider Dispensing Fee Self-Attestation.” This will be the final opportunity to attest for the upcoming fiscal year 2024-2025. All attestations must be received by May 31 to be accepted. Attestations will not be accepted after closing on May 31; no exceptions. 

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following: 

Also in California, NACDS and the California Community Pharmacy Coalition, a project of the California Retailers Association, testified before the California Senate Business, Professions & Economic Development Committee in support of SB 1365, legislation expanding the pharmacist to pharmacy technician ratio to 1:6. The bill was amended changing the ratio from 1:6 to 1:4 and passed out of committee.  

Also in California, NACDS submitted a support letter for SB 966, PBM reform legislation to the Senate Appropriations Committee in advance of the hearing scheduled for May 13. SB 966 includes provisions that would prohibit the use of “spread pricing”. The bill would also provide other vital reforms, including requiring 100% pass-through of manufacturer rebates to plan sponsors to keep patient premiums low, prohibiting the steering of patients to PBM-affiliated pharmacies, and requires PBMs to obtain a license to operate in the state.  

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy proposed modifications to the following: 

  • Title 16 CCR § 1760, and the Disciplinary Guidelines, incorporated by reference. Any person who wishes to comment on the proposed modifications may do so by submitting written comments beginning April 29, 2024, and ending on May 14, 2024. 
  • Title 16 CCR § 1709.1, related to the Designation of Pharmacist-in-Charge. Any person who wishes to comment on the proposed modifications may do so by submitting written comments beginning April 29, 2024, and ending on May 14, 2024. 

Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy has released a Notice of Proposed Action to amend Article 4.5, add Articles 4.6, 4.7, and 4.8, and repeal Article 7 of Title 16, Division 17, of the California Code of Regulations related to Compounded Drug Preparations. The Board will accept comments on the proposed text through June 3. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2024-05-09T11:49:37-04:00May 9, 2024|California|
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