The Iowa Board of Pharmacy has issued COVID-19 guidance to pharmacies about its enforcement of administrative rules and published a document with Frequently Asked Questions.

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

The Iowa state legislature suspended its session for a minimum of thirty days as of March 16th out of concern for the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Iowa Board of Pharmacy issued guidance for pharmacies with limited supplies of compounding garb.

Also in Iowa…  A reminder that the Iowa Medicaid Enterprise’s cost of dispensing survey is due March 26, 2020.  For more information, please see this Information Letter.

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

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R ) announced the reappointment of two members of the Board of Pharmacy: Brett Barker, PharmD of NACDS member company NuCara Pharmacy, and Gayle Mayer, RPh.

Also in Iowa…  The Iowa Department of Human Services announced the delay of the Medicaid pharmacy changes outlined in Informational Letter No. 2086-MC-FFS scheduled to be effective March 18.

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

The Iowa Medicaid Enterprise issued an Informational Letter clarifying how pharmacists can enroll as providers, enabling them to order and dispense naloxone and smoking cessation products, as well as order and administer vaccines to Medicaid members.  Payment for pharmacists enrolled as providers will be effective July 1, 2020.  For more information, please see the Iowa Pharmacy Association Journal article. 

Also in Iowa...  NACDS reminds members that the Iowa Medicaid Enterprise's biennial cost of dispensing survey was sent to pharmacies on February 4 and is due by March 26.  More information can be found on a recent Informational Letter. 

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

A subcommittee of the Senate Human Resources Committee advanced SSB 3164 (formerly SF 2019), legislation to expand immunization authority and create statewide protocol for test and treat of strep and flu, despite concerns expressed by physician groups.  NACDS asks members operating in Iowa to look for grassroots action alerts from the Iowa Pharmacy Association to engage the full Human Resources Committee. 

Also in Iowa...  The Senate Committee on Human Resources passed SF 123, legislation pertaining to collaborative practice in the commercial payer space.  However, the Committee discussion will likely lead to future amendments to expand the bill to include Medicare and Medicaid, which could hinder further progress. 

Also in Iowa...  A subcommittee of the House Human Resources Committee advanced HSB 582, which would permit partial dispensing fees for partial fills.  NACDS strongly opposes this legislation and is working with in-state partners to prevent further advancement of the bill. 

Also in Iowa...  A subcommittee of the House Human Resources Committee advanced HSB 685, legislation pertaining to Pharmacy Benefit Management companies.  NACDS is reviewing the legislation.

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

The Iowa Pharmacy Association issued a call to action for HSB 583, legislation expanding pharmacist immunization authority and statewide protocols for strep and flu, asking members living in the districts of the House Human Resources Committee to contact their legislators in support of the bill. NACDS submitted this letter to Committee leadership.

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

The Iowa Pharmacy Association’s scope of practice legislation was not advanced by a Subcommittee of the Human Resources Committee after hearing from proponents and   opponents of the bill.  The legislation seeks to expand pharmacist immunization authority and establish statewide protocol for point of care testing for flu and streptococcus A.

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

The Iowa Medicaid Enterprise has added a new provider type to allow pharmacists to enroll as Medicaid providers. Pursuant to statewide protocols, this will allow pharmacists to order and dispense naloxone and nicotine replacement therapy tobacco cessation products, as well as to order and administer vaccines to Medicaid members. For details, please see the Informational Letter No. 2048-MC-FFS dated November 18.

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

The Iowa Medicaid Enterprise has added a new provider type to allow pharmacists to enroll as Medicaid providers. Pursuant to statewide protocols, this will allow pharmacists to order and dispense naloxone and nicotine replacement therapy tobacco cessation products, as well as to order and administer vaccines to Medicaid members. For details, please see the Informational Letter No. 2048-MC-FFS dated November 18.

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