Governor JB Pritzker (D) signed HB4430, on June 10, 2022, effective January 1, 2023, this legislation expands the scope of practice for pharmacists to include the initiation, dispensing, or administration of drugs, laboratory tests, assessments, referrals, and consultations for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV post-exposure prophylaxis. The measure also establishes a Medicaid reimbursement rate for all pharmacist-provided services. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

Governor JB Pritzker (D) has signed HB4595, on May 13, 2022, effective July 1, 2022, this legislation amends the state’s insurance contract and provides that a contract between a pharmacy benefit manager or third-party payer and a covered entity under the 340B program may not contain certain provisions. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

Governor JB Pritzker (D) has signed SB4018, effective May 13, 2022, this legislation clarifies prescription verification policies for pharmacy technicians and requires pharmacists to deliver proper notification and signage for temporary closures. Pharmacies may engage in remote prescription processing if the pharmacies have the same owner or a written contract describing the scope of services, the pharmacies share a common electronic file, and such an electronic system can produce a record at either location. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Illinois Drug & Therapeutics Advisory Board will hold an Ad Hoc meeting on June 7, 2022, to review the ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) class in detail.  

Also in Illinois, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted an Updated Medicaid Preferred Drug List Effective 07/01/2022. You may view the new List at the following link.  

Also in Illinois, please join the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, in conjunction with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) of the Department of Homeland Security, on Wednesday, May 18th at 8:30 a.m., to learn more about the current cybersecurity threats to retailers and what you can do to help mitigate your risk.  

During the online seminar attendees will hear from Steve Lyddon, Protective Security Advisor for CISA, about a variety of topics surrounding cybersecurity including:  

• Threats to Critical infrastructure 
• Basic Cyber Hygiene and Security 
• Understanding Mis – Dis – and Mal information 
• CISA’s Shields-Up Program which deals with the defense of the nation’s cyber security and industrial control systems since the Russian Invasion of Ukraine.

Register HERE. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

On April 9, the Illinois Senate adopted Senate Resolution 792, which calls upon the Auditor General to conduct a performance audit of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) administration of pharmacy benefit managers. 

Also in Illinois, Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) issued the following Provider Notice. HFS and state’s Department of Public Health asked that we issue a reminder that even though the HRSA uninsured program has ended there is still a process through HFS. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

he Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted an updated Class Review Schedule. You may view the new schedule here.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted the Uniform Prior Authorization Workgroup Agenda for 03/18/2022 at the following link.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Illinois Department of Human Services reports pharmacies and grocer/pharmacies may see an increase in demand for Neocate formula and nutritionals with the recent recall of Abbott’s EleCare and EleCare Junior products. Some participants who were prescribed EleCare have had their prescriptions adjusted and will now be coming to pharmacies with requests for Neocate products.  

Click here for a copy of the IDHS Notice. For ordering information click here 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted updated PDL (Preferred Drug List) files.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.