Texas

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) called lawmakers back to Austin this week for a third 30-day special session to advance border security measures, address school choice/vouchers and education savings accounts and tackle private employer COVID vaccine mandates.  

Also in Texas, prior to the third special session, State Comptroller of Public Accounts Glenn Hegar (R) announced a certification revenue estimate (CRE) for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 biennium projecting a Rainy-Day Fund balance of $23.77 billion. 

Also in Texas, the Health, and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medicaid posted the September 2023 End of Continuous Medicaid Coverage Dashboard. 

Also in Texas, the next quarterly meeting of the Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) is on November 7 in Austin. This will be the first meeting with the new Executive Director/Secretary Danny Carroll, PharmD. 

Also in Texas, NACDS submitted comments to the State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) on its strategic plan for fiscal years 2025-29, recommending statutory and regulatory changes to expand upon the temporary flexibilities under the federal PREP Act related to vaccinations and Test & Treat services. NACDS also urged TSBP to eliminate the ratio at a central fill Class A pharmacy and expand telepharmacy services beyond FQHCs (Federally Qualified Health Centers). 

Finally in Texas, the Health, and Humans Services Commission (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) Medicaid announced several changes in Preferred Drug list status effective on October 16, 2023, needed because of the shortage of several preferred brand name medications. 

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

2023-10-20T12:09:16-04:00October 20, 2023|Texas|

Washington

The five-member Prescription Affordability Board (PDAB) held its first hybrid meeting on October 20.  

Also in Washington, the State Chief Science Officer Dr Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett signed an updated statewide standing order to dispense naloxone. 

Also in Washington, the Department of Health (DOH) Immunization Division is hosting a COVID-19 and RSV Vaccine Updates Webinar (online registration) on Tuesday, October 24 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Pacific. Topics will include COVID-19 vaccine updates and RSV vaccine recommendations for older adults and pregnant persons, as well as recommendations for infants. The online seminar will be recorded. 

Finally in Washington, the Health Care Authority’s Health Care Cost Transparency Board met on October 18. 

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

2023-10-20T12:08:34-04:00October 20, 2023|Washington|

Alaska

Effective July 15, 2023, there is no longer a requirement for facilities or pharmacies to submit an application for changes to ownership, location or names.

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

2023-10-06T10:11:51-04:00October 6, 2023|Alaska|

Arizona

The Board of Pharmacy’s final rule to permanently authorize pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines under the delegation and supervision of a pharmacist was published in the Arizona Administrative Register, Volume 29, Issue 38 (see pages 2191-2195) with an effective date of September 6, 2023.

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

2023-10-06T10:11:04-04:00October 6, 2023|Arizona|

California

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) posted the following alerts and monthly bulleting on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:

Also in California, NACDS submitted a letter of support to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) urging him to sign AB 1341. The governor subsequently signed AB 1341 (Chapter 276, Statutes of 2023) on September 30. The newly bill enacted permits pharmacists to provide COVID-19 medication as well as offer broader options of substance use disorder treatments as specified in the bill.

Also in California, NACDS submitted a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) urging him to veto AB 1286, legislation that would impose arbitrary staffing limits and impede pharmacies’ ability to optimize the use of pharmacy technicians to assist with technical duties that do not require a pharmacist’s professional judgement.

Finally in California, NACDS submitted a letter of support to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) urging him to sign AB 317, legislation helping to support patient access to essential healthcare services provided by pharmacists by requiring healthcare service plans that cover care that is otherwise within pharmacists’ scope of practice to reimbursement pharmacy providers for delivering those services.

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

2023-10-06T10:10:26-04:00October 6, 2023|California|

Connecticut

The Department of Consumer Protection urges pharmacists to continue to offer to prescribe naloxone for patients, when appropriate. This includes when filling prescriptions for:

  1. Medications within the opioid class of drugs;
  2. Patients with a history of opioid use disorder;
  3. Family members and friends of individuals with a history of opioid use disorder and
  4. Upon request by a patient.

As some insurance providers, including Medicaid, may continue to cover Narcan and ReVive, pharmacists should continue to submit claims when dispensing naloxone prescribed by a pharmacist or other authorized prescriber. Patients whose insurance providers do not cover these medications should contact their insurance provider for more information. Additional information can be found on the Drug Control Division website.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

2023-10-06T10:07:55-04:00October 6, 2023|Connecticut|

Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and members of the Florida Cabinet approved rules to implement several provisions of the Prescription Drug Reform Act (SB 1550). The rules increase accountability among pharmaceutical middlemen known as pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). As signed by the Governor earlier this year, SB 1550 institutes the most comprehensive reforms to Florida’s prescription drug market in state history. Additional information on the bill can be found here.

Also in Florida, the Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency), along with its fiscal agent, Gainwell Technologies, is introducing enhancements implemented as part of the new NPI initiative. A new Taxonomy Master List (TML) Tip Sheet, an updated Provider Master List (PML) Tip Sheet and an updated Pending Provider List (PPL) Tip Sheet is now available. The updated PML and PPL test examples are now available. The release of the updated PML and PPL changes will occur on October 26, 2023. After the release, a copy of the former version of the PML and PPL will remain archived on the Registration page of the Managed Care section of the Florida Medicaid Public Web Portal for reference. The release of the updated TML changes occurred on September 28, 2023. The release will replace the current version of the TML on the Florida Medicaid Public Web Portal. To access a copy of the new TML Tip Sheet and the updated PML and PPL Tip Sheets, please visit the Florida Medicaid Public Web Portal at mymedicaid-florida.com, navigate to the Agency Initiatives tab, and select NPI Initiative.

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

2023-10-06T10:06:20-04:00October 6, 2023|Florida|

Indiana

The Department of Health issued the standing order and protocol for pharmacists to provide without a prescription self-administered hormonal contraceptives products.

Also in Indiana, the state’s Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) Medicaid issued several bulletins:

IHCP removes cost-sharing obligations for pharmacist-administered adult vaccines

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

2023-10-06T10:05:23-04:00October 6, 2023|Indiana|

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