Gov. Larry Hogan (R) issued an executive order to allow pharmacists to order, and to collect or supervise the collection of tests for COVID-19.  

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

NACDS successfully advocated for a policy change in Maryland Medicaid that makes it easier and safer for pharmacies to make home deliveries during the COVID-19 crisis. Originally, Maryland Medicaid released guidance on home deliveries that required pharmacies to confirm deliveries by making a follow-up communication with the patient. After NACDS contacted Maryland Medicaid on how difficult this process would be to comply with in the midst of the current health care crisis, NACDS’ recommendation to accept a “COVID-19” notation in the patient record as confirmation was accepted, and the policy changed. 

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

HB 512, legislation which would require controlled substances to be electronically prescribed, has passed the Maryland House of Delegates unanimously and been sent the Senate for consideration in advance of the crossover deadline. Sponsored by Del. Erik Barron (D), the bill is a joint initiative of NACDS and the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores (MACDS). Both organizations testified at hearings and have been on the ground advocating to advance this measure.

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

Several bills of interest to pharmacy are scheduled to be heard by their respective committees of reference. If any member wishes to testify, please contact Jill McCormack at jmccormack@nacds.org. 

Feb. 13 at 1pm before the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee -SB 440: Pharmacist Tobacco Cessation 

Feb. 18 at 1pm before House Health and Government Operations Committee- 

HB 30 – pharmacists administration of vaccines 

HB 656 – pharmacists administration of self-administered medications and injectables

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

Effective Saturday, August 10, the Medicaid Pharmacy Program announced brand Revatio^® suspension is preferred over its generic equivalent (sildenafil). Claims for brand Revatio^® suspension must be submitted with DAW 6 code and will be priced appropriately. A Department of Health Medwatch form will not be required. Claims with any other DAW code will reject.

Also in Maryland… Effective Saturday, August 10, the Medicaid Pharmacy Program announced all strengths of brand Lyrica^® must be submitted with DAW 6 code and will be priced appropriately. A Department of Health Medwatch form will not be required. Claims with any other DAW code will be rejected.

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

The Department of Health, Board of Pharmacy, published the following rules effective May 20, 2019.

• Final rule amends regulations under COMAR 10.34.09 to eliminate the administrative fee for board reviews of pharmacy technician training programs that include a didactic portion identical to an already approved program.
• Final rule amends, adopts and repeals regulations under COMAR 10.34.30 to codify existing policies concerning changes of name, ownership or location for permitted pharmacies and wholesale distributions facilities. The rule also allows the board to close an incomplete application after one year.
• Final rule amends regulations under COMAR 10.34.05 to require pharmacy permit holders to report a significant loss of controlled substances in addition to the requirement to report thefts.

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

Gov. Larry Hogan (R) has signed HB 316 into law, which will require all healthcare practitioners to report immunizations they administer to Immunet, the state’s vaccine registry. The law was a priority of the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores as a precursor to expanding pharmacists’ immunization authority and will be effective Tuesday, October 1.

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

NACDS reminds members that beginning Saturday, June 1, all dispensers must begin reporting data to the state’s new prescription drug monitoring program vendor, RxGov. The Department of Health is urging pharmacies to begin this process as soon as possible as they have experienced delays in uploading of data to the new product.

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