HB 200, legislation expanding the pharmacist's scope of practice to include initiation of therapy for influenza, strep throat and urinary tract infection pursuant to a statewide protocol adopted by the collaborative drug therapy management advisory committee, passed the Senate by a vote of 37-2. It was referred to the House Health and Human Service Committee for further action. 

Also in Kansas, legislation that would establish a joint committee on pharmacy workplace conditions and patient safety to conduct a study and issue a report to the legislature was referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee. HB 2698 

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

Below are highlights from the September issue of the Board of Pharmacy newsletter.  See the newsletter for details and more information.

• The Board continues to provide updates on its COVID webpage, including information about operations, waivers, renewals, exams, inspections, frequently asked questions and more. The most recent memo was updated on August 25.
• Pharmacies only need to upload the first page when submitting proof of a National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) Verified Pharmacy Program® inspection to the Board.
• Laura Kelly (D) reappointed Jonathan Brunswig, PharmD, RPh, and Bill Walden, RPh, to the Board and appointed new public member, Lucinda Noches Talbert. All will serve a four-year term, ending in 2025.
• K-TRACS, the Kansas prescription drug monitoring program, will explore interest in peer-to-peer education about K-TRACS utilization via outreach to pharmacies.
• Updates on pharmacist technician certification examinations, CE and renewals are now available.

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

The City of Lawrence Sustainability Advisory Board has voted in support of a 16-cents charge for plastic and paper bags used to carry items purchased at grocery stores and retailers. According to Board’s recommendations, revenue from the bag fee would be allocated to address the business costs associated with the policy, to support local environmental education and initiatives and to support programming for low-income Lawrence residents. The measure will advance to the Lawrence City Commission for possible action. NACDS is providing support to the Kansas Pharmacists Association to exempt out prescription bags.

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

The House of Representatives and Senate overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s (D) line item veto of funding for K-TRACs (the state’s prescription drug monitoring program). This means the program is no longer solely dependent on possible grant money for funding in the next fiscal year.

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

Gov. Laura Kelly (D) vetoed the funding in the state budget bill for KTRACs, the state’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. She cited the $705,000 that would be transferred from the Medical Program Fees would have to be backfilled by the State General Fund. The Board of Pharmacy will likely receive a federal grant to cover this expense. If not, the governor will work with the Board of Pharmacy on alternative non-State General Fund options.

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

Gov. Laura Kelly (D) signed into law HB 2119, mandating electronic prescribing of Schedule II-IV controlled substances beginning Thursday, July 1, 2021, and permitting a licensed pharmacist to administer an injectable drug in certain situations. Previously, these issues were standalone bills – HB 2389 and HB 2082, respectively.

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

The Board of Pharmacy has been asked to nominate at least two individuals for potential appointment to the vacancy on the Medicaid Drug Utilization Review Board. The vacancy is for a pharmacist who is actively engaged in retail pharmacy and has experience with the State Medicaid Plan. Please have interested candidates submit their name, contact information, letter of interest and CV/resume to the Board’s Executive Secretary, Alexandra Blasi, JD, MBA, no later than Thursday, May 23. Nominations will be considered at the Board’s Thursday, June 6 meeting.

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