HB 342, legislation that would require all controlled substance prescriptions to be e-prescribed, passed the House of Representatives. The bill was subsequently referred to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, was amended with a clarification to one of the exemptions, was favorably reported and referred to the Senate Rules Committee.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
HB 200, the state budget bill, was enacted on April 13 after the legislature overrode Gov. Matt Bevin’s (R) veto. The final budget includes language increasing Medicaid managed care dispensing fees by $12 million in 2018-2019.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Pharmacists will be required to inform patients about the importance of safe disposal of prescription drugs under a bill that became law this week without the Governor’s signature. SB 6, would have originally required pharmacies and practitioners to distribute or sell drug sequestration or deactivation products with every controlled substance prescription, but was significantly amended during the legislative process with a compromise amendment that made it optional for pharmacies to sell or distribute the drug disposal products. However, the law will require pharmacies and practitioners to inform patients filling certain controlled substances with information on safe drug disposal methods either verbally, in written format or through signage. The law also contains graded penalties for pharmacies and practitioners who violate the law, starting at $25 for a first offense. Additionally, the law encourages manufacturers of the drug disposal technologies to enter into consignment-reimbursement contracts with pharmacies to stock their products. The law’s effective date is yet to be determined, but likely will be in mid-July 2018. NACDS supported the on-the-ground efforts of the Kentucky Retail Federation to advance the amendment to the bill.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
SB 6, a bill that originally would have required pharmacies and practitioners to distribute or sell drug sequestration or deactivation products with every controlled substance prescription, was significantly amended in the House Health and Family Services Committee, subsequently passed both chambers and will be sent to the Governor for signing. The compromise amendment makes it optional for pharmacies to sell or distribute the drug disposal products. However, it requires pharmacies and practitioners to inform patients filling certain controlled substances with information on safe drug disposal methods either verbally, in written format or through signage. The bill also contains graded penalties for pharmacies and practitioners who violate the law, starting at $25 for a first offense. The bill encourages manufacturers of the drug disposal technologies to enter into consignment-reimbursement contracts with pharmacies to stock their products. The Legislature is currently scheduled to adjourn sine die on Saturday, April 14, and the law would be effective 90 days after sine die. NACDS supported the on-the-ground efforts of the Kentucky Retail Federation to amend this bill.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.