The Maryland Pharmacists Association (MPhA) is seeking nominations for two trustee Board positions for 2023-2024. Trustees serve a three-year term. Any active MPhA member in good standing is eligible for nomination and self-nomination is acceptable. Interested parties may submit their nominations online.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is currently accepting applications and nominations for pharmacists to serve on the Maryland Medicaid Drug Use Review (DUR) Board beginning January 2023. The DUR Board is comprised of up to twelve (12) licensed and actively practicing physicians and pharmacists in Maryland. Members are appointed by the Secretary of MDH and serve one term of three (3) years from the date of their appointment with the option to serve an additional three (3) year term. All interested applicants are required to submit a formal application through the Maryland Department of Health’s Office of Appointments and Executive Nominations application link and indicate DUR Board. The deadline to submit applications is October 19, 2022.

Also in Maryland, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) announced the targeted launch of a new Pharmacy Point of Sale Electronic Claims Management System. They have published a bulletin with details on the functionality of the new system and instructions to attend training in-person or virtually.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

A bill, HB299, allowing pharmacists to administer injectable medications for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections became law last week and will be effective Oct. 1, 2022, pending the adoption of regulations.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Department of Health (MDH) is currently accepting applications and nominations for physicians and pharmacists to serve on the Medicaid Program’s Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee beginning in May 2022. The application deadline has been extended, please submit all applications no later than March 18. All interested applicants are required to submit a formal application through the MDH’s Office of Appointments and Executive Nominations. Please email Mangesh Joglekar at Mangesh.Joglekar@maryland.gov for further information.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Office of Pharmacy Services has issued a new bulletin applying to COVID-19 Home Test Kit Coverage and another new bulletin regarding coverage for oral COVID-19 antivirals for the Medicaid Fee-for-Service (FFS) Program. Anyone interested in directly receiving upcoming Advisories may forward his/her name, company affiliation and email address directly to Deborah.washington@maryland.gov 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Gov. Hogan (R) has issued an Executive Order that provides for staffing flexibility to pharmacies as they engage in COVID-19 vaccinations and testing. 

Also in Maryland, the Department of Health has published an Advisory regarding Epidolex prescriptions due to a conflict between the federal and state scheduling process. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) has released its report on the impact of Rutledge v. PCMA court decision and the subsequent Webhi decision on Maryland law and the MIA’s ability to regulate Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs) relationships with pharmacies in Maryland. The report was mandated by the passage of HB 601 of 2021. It concluded that, should the legislature pass legislation regulating PBMs when providing services to an ERISA plan, ERISA would not preempt the MIA’s enforcement of those laws. The report also provides a summary of previously passed laws related to PBMs in Maryland and MIA’s current methods of enforcing them. The report cites comments jointly submitted from NACDS and the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores last fall, which highlighted examples of pro-pharmacy laws that align with the Rutledge decision. 

Also in Maryland: On December 15, the Department of Health (MDH) issued an updated Vaccination Matters Order and guidance.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) has released its report on the impact of Rutledge v. PCMA and the subsequent Webhi decision on Maryland law and the MIA’s ability to regulate Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs) and their relationship with pharmacies in Maryland. The report was mandated by the passage of HB 601 of 2021. It concluded that, should the legislature pass legislation regulating PBMs when providing services to an ERISA plan, ERISA would not preempt the MIA’s enforcement of those laws. The report also provides a summary of previously passed laws related to PBMs in Maryland and MIA’s current methods of enforcing them. The report cites comments from NACDS and the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores submitted last fall, which highlighted examples of pro-pharmacy laws that align with the Rutledge decision.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

This week, Governor Hogan announced a 30-day State of Emergency in response to rising COVID-19 metrics in Maryland. The announcement includes Authorization of Booster Shots for 12- to 15-Year-Olds. Gov. Hogan’s press release is also available here.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.