NACDS, the California Retailers Association, and the California Pharmacists Association have submitted numerous requests over the past several weeks and continue to encourage the Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) Administration to waive existing barriers to allow pharmacists to order and administer COVID-19 and anti-body tests. By allowing pharmacists the ability test, as the state reopens, it will be able to better implement track and trace policies crucial to getting the state’s population back to work.   

Also in California… The Assembly returned to the Capitol on Monday, May 4th, and the Senate announced their session will resume on Monday, May 11th. 

Also in California… An emergency rulemaking action to add section 1747 to Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations relating to the independent initiation and furnishing of HIV preexposure and postexposure prophylaxis as authorized by Statutes of 2019, chapter 532 (SB 159) was finally approved by the Office of Administrative Law. The Notice of Approval and the text of CCR section 1747 – Independent HIV Preexposure and Postexposure Prophylaxis Furnishing, can be viewed on the Approved Regulations page at the Board of Pharmacy’s website, www.pharmacy.ca.gov. 

Also in California… Effective April 1, 2020, an Order of Adoption of a proposal to amend the Protocol for Pharmacists Furnishing Naloxone Hydrochloride was announced by the Board of Pharmacy. To view the regulation and Naloxone Fact Sheet, go to the Approved Regulations on the Board’s website – www.pharmacy.ca.gov. 

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

The California State Board of Pharmacy (Board) is proposing an emergency action to add regulations related to the independent initiation and furnishing of HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to patients, as authorized by Senate Bill (SB) 159 (Wiener, Chapter 532, Statutes of 2019). The proposed regulation would establish the criteria that a training program for participating pharmacists must meet for approval by the Board and the recordkeeping requirements for a pharmacist who has completed the training program.  

Also in California... Despite the fact that the Board of Pharmacy announced that they would extend the comment period to April 30, 2020, NACDS and the California Retailers Association submitted a joint comment letter to the Board of Pharmacy to express our concerns regarding the proposed regulations as unworkable and over-restrictive for staffing requirements for community pharmacies. Our letter stressed that it is crucial that pharmacies have the ability to address fluctuations in staffing but also designate the type of employee that will provide assistance rather than a particular individual. 

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

This week, California joined with Oregon and Washington in a Western States Pact to coordinate the regional reopening of the economy as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses.

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

In anticipation of the Legislature reconvening after the Easter holidays, NACDS and our in-state partners continue to review pending legislation and draft comment letters for policy bills scheduled to be heard later this month. In a joint letter to the Senate Business and Professions and Economic Development Committee, NACDS and CRA registered our opposition to SB 1084 by Senator Tom Umberg (D), which will require pharmacies to dispense Schedule II prescription drugs in lockable vials.   

Also in California… The Board of Pharmacy reminds licensed pharmacists, advance practice pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and designated representatives that you can renew your personal license online. 

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

The Board of Pharmacy’s March 27, 2020 meeting will be held via teleconference. Agenda can be found here – https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/meetings/agendas/2020/20_mar_bd_tele.pdf  

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

The Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services is having a hearing on March 23, 2020 to consider a State Budget request requiring the Medi-Cal program to cover continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for adult Medi-Cal beneficiaries with diabetes. Last session, similar legislation passed but was vetoed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).

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

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed two new members to the Board of Pharmacy: Vons pharmacist Seung Oh and Safeway pharmacist Jignesh “Jig” Patel. Rotating off the Board were Allen Schaad and public member Valerie Muñoz.

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

The Board of Pharmacy recently adopted emergency regulations implementing SB 159, the PEP/PrEP law passed in 2019, and agreed to move forward with rulemaking to permanently adopt rules. These emergency regulations were sent to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) which has ten days to approve and file the regulations with the Secretary of State. Emergency rules are only effective for 180 days but can be readopted until permanent rules are adopted.

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

The California Pharmacists Association (CPhA) announced that after a nationwide search, they hired former state legislator Susan Bonilla as their new President and Chief Executive Officer to run the largest statewide pharmacy association.  

Also in California... The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced that they will not resume retroactive adjustments beginning February 10, 2020. The recoupment of pharmacy retroactive claim adjustments is paused until further notice. 

Also in California... Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) named primary care doctor and former CEO for the Inland Empire Health Plan Bradley Gilbert as director of the state Department of Health Care Services, which administers California’s $104 billion Medi-Cal program. Gilbert will take over for Richard Figueroa, who will transition back to his primary role as deputy cabinet secretary.  

Also in California... The Department of Health Care Services is hosting its third Medi-Cal Rx Public Forum in Sacramento on February 18, 2020 from 2- 3 PM to engage stakeholders in discussions on the Governor’s Executive Order N-01-19 which requires DHCS to transition pharmacy services for Medi-Cal managed care to fee-for-service (FFS) by January 1, 2021. DHCS will provide status updates about Medi-Cal Rx implementation activities and timelines. Please note that DHCS will only take questions and comments from those participants attending in person. Participants may also choose to join the meeting via webinar. To register for Medi-Cal Rx Public Forum February 18, 2020. For questions and/or comments, please email RxCarveOut@dhcs.ca.gov.

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