The Department of Inspections Appeals and Licensing issued the Professional Health Committee – Pharmacy meeting notice for November 6, 2024, at 11:00 am. Agendas are subject to change and may be revised up to 24 hours before the start of the meeting. Please check the DIAL Public Meeting Calendar to ensure you are viewing the current version. The next meeting for the committee will take place on December 4, 2024.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
MedImpact issued an updated bulletin to pharmacies clarifying the coverage limits on naloxone 4 mg nasal spray. This applies to both brand and generic covered NDCs.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Gov. Jeff Landry (R) announced a special session on November 6 focused on revamping the state’s tax structure. Governor Landry hopes to overhaul the state’s current tax system by reducing income tax and charging sales tax on additional items. If the legislature approves tax reforms, voters will need to ratify the proposals in March 2025 so they can become law.
Also in Louisiana, the Board of Pharmacy provided the Prescription Monitoring Program’s Advisory Council with the third quarter update on the program.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) is soliciting comments informing the development of draft regulations to implement its plan to determine upper payment limits for drugs of concern. The General Assembly’s Legislative Policy Committee approved the plan last week, clearing it to move ahead to the regulatory stage. Comments should be submitted to comments.pdab@maryland.gov by November 8, 2024.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Consolidated Health Care Plan (MCHCP) issued an Emergency Rule clarifying member eligibility and responsibility for charges, effective January 1, 2025.
Also in Missouri, the Department of Commerce and Insurance Board of Pharmacy posted a list of fee increases that went into effect on October 30, 2024.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy posted the revised #2 agenda (October 25, 2024) for the November 4 Board of Pharmacy Meeting.
Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board posted a list of the DUR Board Members. Also, the agenda for the next DUR Board Meeting on November 12, 2024, has been posted.
Finally in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced plans for an upcoming pharmacy cost of dispensing survey. Cost of dispensing surveys are anticipated to be distributed to pharmacies that participate in the Medicaid program on December 4, 2024. The due date for the cost of dispensing survey will be January 29, 2025. All providers are encouraged to participate. The cost of dispensing survey tool and instructional letters will be posted on this page by December 4, 2024.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
On October 29, 2024, the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens approved S1981, an Act to expand authority of pharmacy technicians in administering drugs and vaccines and permits pharmacists and pharmacy interns, externs and technicians to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. The bill was moved with an amendment, which now moves to the Senate floor for action. The Assembly had previously approved the same bill, A1899. The bills will need to be reconciled before final passage. NACDS will continue to advocate for passage of legislation that expands vaccine authority and recognizes pharmacy technicians.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
On October 25, 2024, the State Department of Health updated its “Pharmacists as Immunizers” Fact Sheet. The fact sheet includes updated billing codes, reminder that Medicaid is the payor of last resort and highlighting the change that immunizations of children ages three to 17 years will no longer be authorized as of December 31, 2024.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a request by the state to extend the hot foods waiver in response to Hurricane Helene. The hot foods waiver will now run until December 4, 2024, to allow families to purchase hot foods for the Thanksgiving holiday. Please make sure your point-of-sale (POS) systems are updated with the new expiration date. As a reminder, the hot foods waiver applies statewide to accommodate those who have been displaced by Hurricane Helene.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.