On March 29, Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) signed SB 1165 (Chapter 51), legislation outlining specified provisions an auditing entity must comply with when conducting a wholesale invoice audit and prohibits an auditing entity from retroactively reducing the amount of a claim unless specified criteria apply.  

Also in Arizona, on April 2, Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) signed SB 1021, legislation removing the requirement that health professional groups proposing to increase the scope of practice of a state-regulated health profession must complete a statutory sunrise review. 

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

On March 6, upon reconsideration, the Senate failed to pass SB 1085 by one vote. This bill would have authorized pharmacists to test and initiate treatment for conditions such as influenza, COVID, strep and other respiratory illnesses and to delegate the administrative and technical tasks of performing a test to a trained member of the pharmacy staff who is under the supervision of the pharmacist. 

Also in Arizona, this week, the Department of Health Services (ADHS) launched a naloxone campaign aimed at combating the state’s opioid overdose crisis. This multi-media campaign features stories from a diverse group of Arizonans whose lives were impacted by naloxone, connects those with substance use disorder to support resources, and demonstrates how to use naloxone to save lives. The FDA-approved injectable and nasal spray formulations are available over the counter, at pharmacies, community-based distribution programs, and through local health departments, making it possible for the public to also utilize naloxone to save lives. The ADHS encourages individuals to get it without a prescription at your local pharmacy.  

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

The following bills will be heard in the House Regulatory Affairs Committee on March 13:  

• SB 1164, legislation prohibiting PBMs (Pharmacy Benefit Managers) from limiting or excluding coverage of a prescription drug for any covered individual who is on a specific prescription drug when certain conditions are met; prescribing formulary change notification requirements; and establishing a prescription coverage exemption determination process. 
• SB 1165, legislation prohibiting an auditing entity from retroactively reducing the amount of a claim payment to a pharmacist or pharmacy after adjudication of the claim for a prescription drug, with certain exceptions and prescribes requirements for a wholesale invoice audit. 

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

The 60 Plus Association, a nonpartisan organization, submitted a letter of support to both members of the House and Senate in support of SB 1085 (Senate Engrossed), legislation that would authorize pharmacists to offer testing and treatment services for flu, strep throat and a respiratory illness, condition, or disease.

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

On February 21, the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) adopted an amendment to SB 1085 (Senate Engrossed). The bill failed the third reading in the Senate on February 22.  Senate President Warren Petersen (R) offered a Motion to Reconsider.

Also in Arizona, SB 1021 (Senate Engrossed), repealing the Sunrise process for expansion of scope of practice for a “health professional group”, was adopted by the Senate with a vote of 24-4-2. 

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

NACDS submitted a letter to the Senate Finance and Commerce Committee in support of SB 1165, expanding PBM reforms in the state. The bill would prohibit PBMs from deploying discriminatory reimbursement practices that favor pharmacies affiliated with and under common control of the PBM over other, non-affiliated, network pharmacy providers. Additionally, the bill also includes provisions that would strengthen the state’s existing laws for audits conducted by PBMs, preventing PBMs from engaging in audit practices that penalize pharmacy providers for clerical or administrative issues on claims for covered medications that otherwise are payable.

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

On January 30, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services recommended SB 1085 “do pass” with a vote of 6-1. This bill would authorize pharmacists to test and initiate treatment for conditions such as influenza, COVID, strep and other respiratory illnesses and to delegate the administrative and technical tasks of performing a test to a trained member of the pharmacy staff who is under the supervision of the pharmacist. It also prohibits a health insurer from denying reimbursement for any test, screening or treatment that is within the scope of the pharmacist’s license and would be covered, if otherwise performed by a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant.

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

This week, NACDS submitted a letter of support to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services for SB 1085, authorizing pharmacists to test and initiate treatment for conditions such as influenza, COVID, strep and other respiratory illnesses and to delegate the administrative and technical tasks of performing a test to a trained member of the pharmacy staff who is under the supervision of the pharmacist. It also prohibits a health insurer from denying reimbursement for any test, screening or treatment that is within the scope of the pharmacist’s license and would be covered, if otherwise performed by a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant. 

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

The Board of Pharmacy posted its January 2024 Newsletter. See the “Compliance Corner” for important, timely updates.

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