Alaska

California

The Board of Pharmacy announced the modification and/or extension of the waivers of Pharmacy Law issued in response to the Los Angeles Fires.

The waiver that provides flexibility to increase the number of pharmacy technicians a pharmacist may supervise has been modified and the expiration date has been extended to June 30, 2025 (or the termination date of the state of emergency, whichever is sooner).

The expiration date of the waiver that provides flexibility for pharmacy personnel to perform some functions from outside of a licensed pharmacy has been extended to June 30, 2025 (or the termination date of the state of emergency, whichever is sooner).

The expiration date of the waiver to allow for the delivery of drugs to an alternate location has been extended to March 31, 2025 (or the termination date of the state of emergency, whichever is sooner).

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

Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and a weekly notice on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note the 2025 prescription volume attestation survey will be available to providers March 1 through March 31. Also, to avoid mail delivery delays and save paper, Medi-Cal Rx encourages pharmacy providers to opt into receiving the Medi-Cal Rx remittance information via the Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA) format.

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

Michael Silber2025-02-20T13:46:06-05:00February 20, 2025|Alabama, Alaska, California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Massachusetts, Montana, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont|

California

On January 17, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) issued a news release detailing the Department’s work to expand support for Medi-Cal members impacted by the Southern California wildfires. DHCS swiftly implemented key administrative flexibilities to protect Medi-Cal members in affected regions of the state. These efforts included simplified Medi-Cal enrollment and renewal processes, waived requirements to access prescription medications and medical devices and other flexibilities to ensure all Medi-Cal members have access to care during this emergency. Additionally, DHCS is actively seeking further federal flexibilities to expand support for impacted Medi-Cal members and providers.

Also in California, beginning January 17, the federal Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) activated the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) for specific zip codes in California to help uninsured residents replace prescription medicines and/or certain medical equipment lost or damaged in the 2025 Los Angeles Fires. EPAP has been activated through March 15, 2025. To locate participating pharmacies, visit EPAP Enrolled Pharmacies.

Also in California, on January 17, DHCS began hosting a weekly Medi-Cal Rx Pediatric Integration webinar. Webinars will be held every Friday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm PST to support partner readiness. Partners, including pharmacy providers and prescribers, should plan to attend a webinar prior to the implementation of Medi-Cal Rx Pediatric Integration on January 31. More information is available on the Medi-Cal Rx Education & Outreach webpage.

Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and weekly notice on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: 

Now Available: CCS Panel Authority Policy Exclusions on the Medi-Cal Rx Approved NDC List

Deactivation of Reject Code 16 – M/I Prescription/Service Reference Number

Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for January 10-16

Medi-Cal Eligibility Assistance for Medi-Cal Members Affected by California Wildfires

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

Michael Silber2025-01-24T14:05:04-05:00January 24, 2025|Alabama, Alaska, California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Massachusetts, Montana, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont|

Alaska

The Board of Pharmacy met on November 14. The agenda and public meeting packet are posted on the Board’s website.

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

Michael Silber2024-11-14T10:50:19-05:00November 14, 2024|Alaska|

Alaska

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) signed a bill into law that aims to ensure consumers have access to affordable prescriptions and level the playing field for pharmacies by regulating pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) House Bill 226 – CHAPTER 61 SLA 24.

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

Michael Silber2024-10-24T14:08:54-04:00October 24, 2024|Alaska|

Alaska

The Board of Pharmacy met on October 10.

Also in Alaska, the Pharmacy Board revised statutes and regulations are now available on the website. Effective September 28, there are significant changes affecting collaborative practice authorities, nationally certified pharmacy technician practices, sterile pharmaceutical guidelines, manufacturer license requirements, prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) registration, alternative to probation program and “owner” / “change of ownership” definitions.

Finally in Alaska, the Board issued new rules on expanded pharmacy technician duties (2 AAC 52.235. PHARMACY TECHNICIAN WITH NATIONAL CERTIFICATION).

(a) A pharmacy technician who holds a national certification may, at the direction of the pharmacist on duty and under the direct supervision of that pharmacist,

(1) perform a final check of and distribute a non-controlled substance prescription if

(C) the pharmacy uses software that displays the image or graphical description of the correct drug being verified; however, if there is any deviation between the image or graphical description and the actual product being distributed, a pharmacist must review and dispense the order; and (Previous Version)

(C) the pharmacy uses software that displays the image or graphical description of the correct drug being verified, or the institutional facility uses software that performs and verifies a barcode scan before administration [; HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ANY DEVIATION BETWEEN THE IMAGE OR GRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION AND THE ACTUAL PRODUCT BEING DISTRIBUTED, A PHARMACIST MUST REVIEW AND DISPENSE THE ORDER]; and (New Version, Bold and Underlined is added and Bracketed is removed)

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

Michael Silber2024-10-10T11:41:41-04:00October 10, 2024|Alaska|

Alaska

Licensing applications that were unable to be renewed prior to June 30, 2024, were given a 90-day extension if the application was received and the fee was paid. If the extended applications are not completed by September 30, 2024, the license will move into lapsed status on October 1, 2024. Pharmacists need to complete their Alaska Law Questionnaire and upload it into their My License portal. Pharmacies and Facilities must provide the Board of Pharmacy with their Alaska corporate entity number.

Also, in Alaska, effective September 28, pharmacy technicians with national certification can perform expanded duties under the direct supervision of a pharmacist (12 AAC 52.235). PHARMACY TECHNICIAN WITH NATIONAL CERTIFICATION). Specifically, certified technicians can perform a final check of and distribute a non-controlled substance prescription if the pharmacy uses software that displays the image or graphical description of the correct drug being verified.

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

Michael Silber2024-09-19T10:55:00-04:00September 19, 2024|Alaska|

Alaska

The Board of Pharmacy adopted regulation changes in August related to pharmacy technicians, collaborative practice authorities, sterile pharmaceutical guidelines, manufacturer license requirements, PDMP registration, alternative to probation program and definitions. The regulation changes were reviewed and approved by the Department of Law, signed and filed by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor on August 29, 2024, and are effective on September 28, 2024. The filed version of the regulations will be posted in Register 251, October 2024 of the Alaska Administrative Code.

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

Michael Silber2024-09-05T10:04:11-04:00September 5, 2024|Alaska|

Alaska

Effective September 2024, Medicaid will now permit pharmacists to enroll as providers and bill for pharmacy services. This significant development results from collaborative efforts by various pharmacy organizations, including the Alaska Pharmacy Association. The change aligns with HB 145 of 2022. It allows pharmacists to enroll as rendering providers and get paid for their services through medical benefits while affiliated with a pharmacy professional group, Tribal Health Organization, Federally Qualified Health Center or Rural Health Clinic.

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

Michael Silber2024-08-29T14:40:02-04:00August 29, 2024|Alaska|

Alaska

The Board of Pharmacy reminded licensees that both pharmacy and facility licensing renewal applications are due by 11:59 pm on June 30 or the license will expire. There is no grace period. Here are the links to the Alaska Board of Pharmacy applications and forms:

If you have not registered your corporate entity in Alaska yet, you can find information on how to register your entity at Corporations, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (alaska.gov).

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

Michael Silber2024-06-27T11:05:22-04:00June 27, 2024|Alaska|