The Board of Pharmacy and Health Department has released a statement which recognizes the third amendment to the PREP Act declaration, authorizing pharmacists to administer pediatric vaccines subject to requirements under the declaration, supersedes state law, and is effective in the state.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Board of Pharmacy, by a vote of 8-3, approved a draft regulation allowing Technician Product Verification in the community pharmacy setting. Prior to the vote, an amendment was adopted to clarify that the same technician could not do both verification’s. The regulation will now go to the Secretary of Health for approval prior to being published for public comment. NACDS will share an amended draft as soon as it become available.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Maryland Department of Health has released a bulletin that added the NCPDP-recommended billing code to its approved codes for billing for COVID-19 specimen collection. Details on the bulletin can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Medicaid has published an Advisory with updated NDC codes for pharmacies to bill for COVID-19 testing specimen collection.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
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.