Ohio
The Board of Pharmacy issued updated the Pharmacy Technician Continuing Education guidance this week.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Oklahoma
NACDS is closely monitoring several bills of interest to pharmacies, including SB 1541 that includes test and test for minor ailments and prescribing hormonal contraceptives, SB 1390 that would enhance the Attorney General’s enforcement powers over PBMs and SB 1670, legislation related to PBM audits and MAC pricing.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Oregon
HB 4149 (A-Engrossed), legislation related to PBM Reforms, was amended and passed the House Behavioral Health & Health Care this week. Given the amendments, Chair Rob Nosse (R) stated he will be convening a workgroup after this year’s regular session and outlined issues to be addressed to advance additional PBM reforms in the state.
Also in Oregon, SB 1506 (A-Engrossed) passed the Senate and was assigned to the House Behavioral Health & Health Care Committee. It is scheduled for a Work Session on February 28. This bill would allow a pharmacist to test and prescribe, dispense and administer treatment for SAVS-CoV-2 consistent with protocols adopted by the State Board of Pharmacy by rule. It would also permit a pharmacist to delegate to a pharmacy technician or an intern under the pharmacist’s supervision the administrative and technical tasks of performing a SARS-CoV-2 CLIA-waived test. Finally, the bill would require payment for these services effective October 1, 2024, with a sunset date of June 30, 2026.
Also in Oregon, HB 4113 (A-Engrossed), legislation requiring all amounts paid by an enrollee or paid by another person on behalf of the enrollee toward the cost of a covered prescription drug be included when calculating the enrollee’s contribution to an out-of-pocket maximum, deductible, copayment, coinsurance or other cost-sharing requirements, passed the House Behavioral Health & Health Care Committee.
Also in Oregon, HB 4010 (A-Engrossed), legislation that includes language specifying that the flavoring of a prescription drug is not compounding, passed the House Behavioral Health & Health Care Committee.
Finally in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority’s Immunization Policy Advisory Team will meet on March 7 via Zoom. The final agenda will be available at the meeting or via email request three days before the meeting date by contacting imm.info@odhsoha.oregon.gov. Participation via Zoom requires advance registration using this link. Those who register will receive a confirmation email with additional information. Note: this information is necessary to join the meeting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Pennsylvania
HB 2037, a bill to match the PREP Act’s immunization authority for pharmacists and technicians, has been introduced. It is cosponsored by a diverse group of bipartisan legislators that represent both rural and urban medically underserved areas of the state. Rep. Donna Bullock (D, Philadelphia), Majority Chair of the Children and Youth Committee, is the prime sponsor. Upon introduction, the bill was referred to her committee.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
South Dakota
HB 1147, legislation addressing discriminatory acts against entities participating in a 340B drug pricing program, unanimously passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and was deemed “certified uncontested” and placed on consent.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Tennessee
The Beacon Center of Tennessee’s newest report, “A Dose of Free Market Medicine,” compares Tennessee’s laws and regulations around pharmacists to recent reforms in other states, including Florida, Iowa, Kansas and Idaho. By enacting similar reforms, Tennessee policymakers can expand access to health care.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Utah
HB 132 (3rd Substitute), permitting pharmacists or pharmacy interns to engage in therapeutic substitution pursuant to a request or consent by a patient, passed the Senate and is eligible to be sent to Gov. Spencer Cox (R).
Also in Utah, HB 425 (1st Substitute), legislation related to PBM and health insurance reforms, passed the House Business and Labor Committee. The bill includes provisions related to pharmacy network requirements for health benefit plans, modified requirements for pharmacy audits and pharmaceutical manufacturer rebates applied at the point of sale.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Vermont
On February 28, the Board of Pharmacy will be holding its regularly scheduled meeting at 9:00 am. The agenda has been posted.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Washington
E2SSB 5213, PBM reform legislation pharmacy supports, continues to advance. The bill passed the Senate and was referred to the House Health and Wellness Committee where it passed on February 21 by a vote of 11-6.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.