Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) signed into law the following legislation:

• SB 2952 directing the Department of Human Services to adopt rules permitting pharmacists to authorize designees to consult the Prescription Monitoring Program on their behalf, provided the designee has been trained in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• HB 4707, creating a Prescription Drug Task Force, among whose responsibilities will be to study prescription opioid abuse in the state; study the over-prescribing by physicians of opioids; and recommend any legislation that would have the effect of reducing opioid addiction and abuse. The Task Force will report its findings to the General Assembly by Tuesday, December 31, 2019.
• SB 2524, creating Pharmaceutical Disposal Task Force, a primary duty of which will be to coordinate a statewide public information campaign to highlight the benefits of and opportunities to properly dispose of pharmaceutical products.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

The Department of Human Services announced that, for a second consecutive year, they will receive grant money from the 21st Century Cures Act to fight the opioid crisis. Among its uses, the $16 million grant will enable enhancements to the prescription monitoring program.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

The state’s Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) adopted rules effective May 1 for individuals or organizations to take back and dispose medications. For more information, please contact Gabriel Neibergall, an IEPA attorney, at 217-782-5544.

Also in Illinois…The Department of Public Health (IDPH) launched its Opioid Data Dashboard, a website offering information about how opioids are affecting people in Illinois, including rates of opioid prescriptions by county. Additional information about efforts to curb abuse and misuse is available in the State of Illinois Opioid Action Plan.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

In the wake of new counties being added to the Medicaid Managed Care program (HealthChoice Illinois) effective April 1, the Illinois Pharmacists Association (IPhA) is in regular contact with the Department of Health and Family Services about challenges with patient transitions from fee-for-service to managed care. IPhA indicates that pharmacies having unresolved issues with Medicaid recipients can email IPhA. Please include the Recipient Identification Number (RIN), which MCO (not PBM) and any relevant notes. To file a complaint so that it is on the record, visit the HFS webpage and complete Illinois’ Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO) Provider Complaint Form. IPhA also encourages Medicaid recipients who need to enroll or call HealthChoice Illinois with questions to call 877-912-8880 (TTY: 1-866-565-8576) Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) signed into law SB 772, effective January 1, 2018, requiring prescribers to register with the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) and, with certain exceptions, to document their check of the PMP before prescribing Schedule II controlled substances.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.