Arkansas

NACDS and the Arkansas Grocers and Retail Merchants Association submitted a joint letter to the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee urging the committee members to strongly oppose HB 1945 by Rep. Wooten. HB 1945, filed on April 19th would establish discriminatory restrictions on pharmacy ownership and prohibit chain pharmacies from operating pharmacy locations throughout Arkansas. The bill was heard in committee on April 22 and was pulled down and referred to further consideration after the session during the interim study. The legislature is scheduled to adjourn by April 30, 2021.

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

Michael Silber2021-04-23T12:29:45-04:00April 23, 2021|Arkansas|

Arkansas

The Division of Pharmacy Services issued a final rule effective April 16 adding six opioid substances, four depressants, and two synthetic cathinones to Schedule I. The rule also adds three opioid analgesics to Schedule II, three mood-altering substances to Schedule IV, two substances to Schedule V and modifies Schedule VI removing FDA-approved cannabidiol substances from Schedule V.

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

Michael Silber2021-04-16T10:05:24-04:00April 16, 2021|Arkansas|

Arkansas

In addition to the three bills signed last week, a fourth bill NACDS supported expanding pharmacies’ scope of practice was signed into law. HB 1246/Act 503 allows pharmacists to screen and prescribe medications for flu and strep under a written statewide protocol approved by the Board of Pharmacy and Medicine.

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

Michael Silber2021-04-09T10:09:57-04:00April 9, 2021|Arkansas|

Arkansas

HB 1134/Act 406 by pharmacist Rep. Justin Boyd (R) allows Arkansas pharmacists the ability to prescribe and administer all vaccines and immunizations to anyone 3 years of age and older. If pharmacists administer either the flu or COVID vaccine to a patient that is 3-6 years old, then the pharmacist must participate in the Vaccines for Children program and inform adult caregivers of the importance of a well-child visit.
HB 1135/Act 407 also by pharmacist Rep. Justin Boyd allows Arkansas pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines and immunizations to a person 3 years of age or older if delegated by a supervising pharmacist; pharmacy technicians may not administer other medications.
HB 1069/Act 408 allows Arkansas pharmacists with proper training to be defined by the Board of Pharmacy to initiate therapy and administer or dispense contraceptives under a statewide protocol.

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

Michael Silber2021-04-02T09:03:05-04:00April 2, 2021|Arkansas|

Arkansas

Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) signed into law Rep. Boyd’s bill amending the Prescription Drug Monitoring Law requiring both prescribers and dispensers to provide physical copies of written or electronic prescriptions upon request. The bill text can be found here.

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

Michael Angeloni2021-02-12T09:18:53-05:00February 12, 2021|Arkansas|

Arkansas

The Legislature convened on Monday, January 11, and is expected to last 60 days

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

Michael Angeloni2021-01-15T10:41:11-05:00January 15, 2021|Arkansas|

Arkansas

The Department of Insurance released a commissioned study on pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) spread pricing, clawbacks, and reimbursements for administering the pharmacy benefit in Arkansas’ Medicaid managed care programs and the Arkansas Works commercial plans.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-11-06T12:39:18-05:00November 6, 2020|Arkansas|

Arkansas

Gov. Asa Hutchison (R) appointed Rodney Richmond MS, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP to serve a six-year term on the eight-member Board of Pharmacy. Richmond is filling the seat previously held by Dr. Steve Bryant.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-10-23T10:27:24-04:00October 23, 2020|Arkansas|

Arkansas

In response to Secretary Azar’s PREP Act declaration, the Board of Pharmacy has posted a statement listing under which conditions pharmacists and pharmacist-interns acting under the supervision of a pharmacist are allowed to order and administer immunizations to children 3-18 years of age.

Also in Arkansas. The Department of Human Services adopted a final rule amending the medical assistance regulations and the Medicaid state plan to add coverage for medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders, effective August 1. The rule also revises the agency provider for physicians, outpatient behavioral health services, pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, hospitals, nurse practitioners, and rural health clinics, effective September 1, 2020.

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

Michael Angeloni2020-09-11T13:34:46-04:00September 11, 2020|Arkansas|