The Department of Health (LDH) issued a revised Bulletin 19-3 outlining provider’s options have to resolve issues with Medicaid Managed Care Organizations. (MCOs) 

Also in Louisiana, despite objections from some lawmakers and the Attorney General, Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced that he is adding COVID-19 vaccinations to the list of required shots for students to attend schools and universities, effective for the 2022-23 school year. 

Finally in Louisiana, NACDS submitted written comments to the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy in support of proposed rules that make permanent certain authorities for pharmacy technicians and interns authorized under the PREP Act. Specifically, the proposed rules would codify authority for pharmacy technicians and interns to administer vaccines, in addition to making other changes to the existing rules that simplify existing administrative requirements for vaccines provided by pharmacy providers. The Board will hold a public hearing on December 28, 2021. 

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

The Department of Health (LDH) held its monthly COVID-19 Vaccine Partners virtual webinar providing the latest statistics on vaccines administered, LDH also did a one-year look-back highlighting equitable distribution across the state’s nine healthcare regions. More information is available at La.Immunization@La.gov.

Also in Louisiana, in addition to electing new officers at the November 17^th Board meeting, the board approved to move forward on adopting fee increases Regulatory Proposal 2021-G. They also discussed proposed New PPM.I.A.35, Emergency Prescriptions for Durable Medical Equipment (Draft #1) State of Emergency authorizing pharmacists to dispense emergency prescriptions of prescribed medications during a state of emergency. Finally, they approved Proposed Revision of PPM.I.D.28 ~ COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Guidance for Licensees re PREP Act Declaration by HHS (Draft #1), which is a guidance document.

Finally in Louisiana, the Board of Pharmacy scheduled an in-person Public Hearing on December 28, 2021, on a proposed rule on medication administration that would make permanent pharmacy technicians and interns administering immunizations. Pharmacies are encouraged to email written supportive comments to the Board in advance of the hearing. info@pharmacy.la.gov

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

The Department of Health (LDH) LDH recommends COVID-19 booster shots for all fully vaccinated Louisianans ages 18 and older. 

Also in Louisiana, longtime Board of Pharmacy president Carl Aron, an independent pharmacist from Monroe, announced his retirement at the November 17th meeting. The Board elected Marty McKay as president. 

Finally in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) announced a billing update for COVID-19 vaccines for 5-11 years old, third dose and booster shots. 

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

The Department of Health (LDH) Secretary Courtney Phillips released LDH’s business plan in almost a decade, titled Together: Building a Stronger LDH and a Healthier Louisiana for state fiscal year (FY) 2022. The plan identifies and details 17 initiatives and 42 goals under four major commitments.

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

Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) lifted the public health emergency indoor mask mandate, but the Governor is keeping in place face covering requirements for certain K-12 schools, effective October 27.

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

Effective October 1^st, the Department of Health’s (LDH) Medicaid Fee for Service (FFS) Pharmacy Program and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), in consultation with the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board, began implementing quantity limits for select medications at the Point of Sale (POS):  Asthma/COPD Bronchodilator, Anticholinergic (COPD) – Inhalation Agents; Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs); Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) Agents; Tasimelteon (Hetlioz LQ™) [a Sedative Hypnotic];Vericiguat (Verquvo®) in Heart Disease, Hyperlipidemia – Vasodilators, Coronary. LA FFS-MCO Qty Limits

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

Both the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Advisory Council and the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Advisory Committee will be holding their quarterly meetings in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, October 13.

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

The Department of Health (LDH) hired Patrick Gillies to serve as the new Medicaid Director.

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

At the August 18th Board of Pharmacy meeting, the Board approved proposed rules. 

Title 46 (la.gov) that allows pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians to administer medications independently of the Prep Act, and also repeals the requirement to report immunizations to physicians.  

 Also in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) announced that they will be reimbursing for pharmacist administered influence vaccines for the 2021-2022 flu season beginning on September 15, 2021. 

Finally in Louisiana, the Department of Insurance is soliciting feedback from stakeholders on the roles and responsibilities of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) and Pharmacy Services Administrative Organizations (PSAO). Submit comments to jeffrey.zewe@ldi.la.gov  under the title “Response to Act 192 Request for Information” by November 1, 2021. 

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