The Board of Pharmacy issued a response to Gov. Kim Reynold’s July 23, 2021, Proclamation of Disaster Emergency. Given there are no further suspensions of administration rules related to pharmacy licensure or registration, the board will no longer continue its enforcement discretion regarding pharmacy practice. As a reminder, the board’s responses to the governor’s various proclamations are available on the board’s website.

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

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Ohama Field Division is conducting a series of Lunch and Learn sessions related to fraud and abuse associated with promethazine with codeine.  Details are available in the flyer that includes link to register.  For more information, contact the DEA Diversion Outreach Coordinator Erin Payne.

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

Effective July 1, 2021, community pharmacies in Iowa may begin to submit electronic claims for reimbursement of DisposeRx® (or other branded medication disposal solutions) dispensed to Iowa residents who may be at risk of an accidental opioid or other controlled substance misuse or overdose. Additional information, including the pharmacy electronic billing process, is available in the Disposal Kit Dispensing Program FAQ document on the Board of Pharmacy’s website.

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

Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) sent a letter to Paul Pate, Secretary of State of Iowa, directing the Department of Human Services to amend current Medicaid managed care contracts to authorize a $10.38 dispensing fee per prescription across-the-board for all pharmacies under Section 31 of HF 891.  This action is in response to a meeting and letter NACDS sent to the Governor requesting a veto of language in HF 891 directing the department to amend Medicaid managed care organization contracts to authorize the establishment of a managed care pharmacy dispensing fee that is based on the current fee-for-service dispensing fee of  $10.38 or a dispensing fee that is not to exceed the current fee-for-service rate and determined contractually by mutual agreement between the managed care organization and a participating pharmacy with more than 30 locations in the state and headquarters outside the state. The Governor agreed with industry stakeholders that this policy creating differential dispensing fees for certain pharmacies raises significant constitutional concerns.  NACDS acknowledges the collaborative efforts of the Iowa Retail Federation and the Iowa Pharmacy Association staff. 

Also in Iowa, below are highlights from the June issue of the Iowa Board of Pharmacy newsletter.  See the newsletter for additional details and more information. 

• The law authorizing pharmacists to administer vaccinations via a practitioner-signed protocol will expire on June 30, 2021.  Beginning July 1, 2021, pharmacists may order and administer vaccinations under the Iowa Board of Pharmacy's statewide protocol or according to a patient-specific prescription issued by a practitioner. 
• 2021 Regular Session of the Iowa Legislature 

• The Board's bill amending the Iowa Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to include nine substances that had been temporarily scheduled via rulemaking and provide conforming text to match federal CSA structure was signed into law. 
• The Board's bill (HF 514) eliminating the one-year limitation of a technician trainee registration, revising delegation of functions to pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support personnel, and including other provisions relating to pharmacy practice was also signed into law. 

• REMINDER: As of May 12, 2021, Schedule V controlled prescriptions must be reported to the Iowa Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP).  Also, newly adopted rulemaking includes nonprescription sales of codeine-containing cough suppressants as reportable transactions. 

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

The Board of Pharmacy released a response to the Governor’s new Proclamation of Disaster Emergency issued on May 27, extending much of the pharmacy practice regulatory relief. The suspension of regulatory provisions identified in the Proclamation is effective through June 26, 2021, unless otherwise extended or terminated by Gov. Kim Reynolds (R). Please note the suspension of Iowa Code § 155A.32 to allow a pharmacist to engage in therapeutic drug product substitution, according to Board guidance, should not be expected to be further extended.

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

The next meeting of the Iowa Board of Pharmacy’s IMP3 Committee meeting is scheduled for June 2, 2021. The information and agenda have been posted.

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

Earlier this week, the House of Representatives and, subsequently, the Senate passed HF 891, an act relating to appropriations for health and human services, and it will be sent to the governor.  The bill includes language directing the department to amend Medicaid managed care organization contracts to authorize the establishment of a managed care pharmacy dispensing fee reimbursement with either (a) the established fee-for-service $10.38 pharmacy dispensing fee reimbursement per prescription based upon the most recent state cost of dispensing study or (b) a dispensing fee determined contractually by mutual agreement between the managed care organization and a participating pharmacy with more than 30 locations in the state and headquarters outside the state, not to exceed the established fee-for-service $10.38 pharmacy dispensing fee reimbursement per prescription.

Also in Iowa, this week, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed SF 296 into law authorizing pharmacists to order and administer COVID-19 immunizations or vaccinations to adults according to statewide protocols, perform point-of-care testing for influenza, streptococcus, and COVID-19 and initiate treatment following a positive test, and enter into collaborative practice agreements with other healthcare providers.

Lastly in Iowa, on May 10 the Board of Pharmacy issued guidance on how a pharmacy may report dispensations or transactions involving nonprescription Schedule V controlled substances, such as codeine-containing cough syrups, to the Iowa Prescription Monitoring Program, under an April 7 final rule.

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

The Board of Pharmacy issued guidance on pharmacy operations under the April 30, 2021, renewed governor’s proclamation of a disaster emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance extends the suspension of certain regulatory provisions established under prior notices through May 30, 2021. As noted in the Board’s response, “… The Board will continue to monitor the situation as additional information is available and make necessary adjustments to provide pharmacy professionals with the guidance needed to navigate the current public health emergency.”

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

The Department of Human Services issued Informational Letter No. 2228-MC-FFS reminding pharmacy providers to bill the appropriate entity for Medicaid pharmacy claims. Claims for Medicaid members enrolled in a managed care organization (MCO) should be billed to the appropriate MCO or their corresponding PBM to which a member is assigned.  An updated pharmacy billing reference sheet has been included in the Informational Letter.

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