The Department of Human Services issued INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2271-MC-FFS-CVD with guidance for pharmacies billing for specimen collection and testing for COVID-19. The changes are effective October 1 and will be in effect for the duration of the public health emergency.

Also in Iowa, for the latest information and updates impacting Iowa’s enrolled vaccine providers, please visit the Iowa Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) COVID-19 Vaccine Providers web page, and click on the most recent version of the “ Vaccine Information Brief”. IDPH posted a NEW Vaccine Information Brief (10.1.21). If you have questions, contact the COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 1-800-831-6293 ext. 1 or COVID19Vaccine@idph.iowa.gov.

Also in Iowa, a COVID 3^rd dose vs. booster vaccine recommendations infographic has been developed for providers’ use for educational purposes. If you have questions, contact the COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 1-800-831-6293 ext. 1 or COVID19Vaccine@idph.iowa.gov.

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

For the latest information and updates impacting Iowa’s enrolled vaccine providers, please visit the Iowa Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) COVID-19 Vaccine Providers web page, and click on the most recent version of the “ Vaccine Information Brief”.  IDPH posted a NEW Vaccine Information Brief (9.27.2021).  Note: changes to the document are highlighted in yellow.  Also, for all Iowa-enrolled vaccine providers, a weekly listserv message will be sent to emails on record; this message will include the “Vaccine Information Brief”, as appropriate.

Also in Iowa, the Department of Human Services issued INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2266-MC-FFS-CVD, containing information and updates regarding the authorization of an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine following an initial 2-dose primary series of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for certain immunocompromised individuals. See informational letter for details about billing and coding for administration fees.

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

The Board of Pharmacy issued guidance related to monoclonal antibody administration by pharmacists, including a reminder of recordkeeping and requirements to order and administer COVID-19 therapeutics.   

Also in Iowa, the Board of Pharmacy alerted licensees and registrants about recent phishing scams by individuals posting as Board employees.

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

The Board of Pharmacy posted its July 14 meeting minutes on the meeting webpage.  In addition to the Board’s unanimous vote for Emergency Adoption and Notice of Intended Action to amend Chapter 3, “Pharmacy Technicians,” to provide minimum standards for technician immunization administration, the Board also unanimously voted to approve the amended Statewide Protocols for naloxone, nicotine-replacement tobacco cessation and immunization as presented. The Board also took other regulatory actions and discussed numerous updates.

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

The Board of Pharmacy issued a notice to pharmacies regarding multiple fraudulent prescriptions for promethazine with codeine being faxed into pharmacies.  Note: they are often accompanied by prescriptions for a Z-Pak (azithromycin). 

Also in Iowa, the Board of Pharmacy announced the registration fee for all certified pharmacy technicians will be prorated as of August 16, 2021.   

Also in Iowa, the Iowa Pharmacy Association will conduct a webinar entitled “Medicaid: Provider Enrollment and Medical Billings” on September 7 from 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. The speaker will be Desiree Smith, Provider Services Operations Manager, Iowa Medicaid Enterprise (IME).  She will be joined by representatives of the state’s Medicaid Managed Care Organizations.  Registration is required. 

Finally in Iowa, NACDS submitted comments to the Board of Pharmacy on the proposed rulemaking revising the requirements for perpetual inventory. On behalf of members, we stated concerned that the proposed rule changes under ARC 5834C that expand the perpetual inventory requirements to apply to all controlled substance medications would be burdensome and would only add more “non-patient care related tasks” to busy pharmacists’ workday. NACDS requested the Board to reject the proposed rule change that would require perpetual inventories at all times for all controlled substances, and instead continue to apply this requirement only to Schedule II controlled substances.  

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

The Department of Human Services issued INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2256 updating the prospective safety edits for subsequent fills for opioids with information about point of sale (POS) billing and prior authorization (PA). Note: this informational letter replaces INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2245-MC-FFS issued July 14.

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

The Department of Human Services issued the following: 

• INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2243-MC-FFS updating the 340B Drug Pricing Program with billing information. 
• INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2245-MC-FFS updating the prospective safety edits for subsequent fills for opioids with information about point of sale (POS) billing and prior authorization (PA). 
• INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2254-MC-FFS reminding pharmacy providers to enroll with Iowa Medicaid so that they may prescribe naloxone or nicotine replacement therapy and order and administer vaccines in accordance with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy statewide protocols.   

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

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.