Maryland

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.

Michael Angeloni2019-05-29T14:15:23-04:00May 29, 2019|Maryland|

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.

Michael Angeloni2019-06-25T10:12:39-04:00May 16, 2019|Maryland|

Maryland

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.

Karen White2019-05-14T09:50:53-04:00May 9, 2019|Maryland|

Maryland

Legislation considered a prelude to efforts to further expanding pharmacists’ immunization authority is on its way to Gov. Larry Hogan (R). HB 316, sponsored by Del. Ariana Kelly (D), will require all health care providers who administer a vaccine to report it to the Maryland immunization registry, ImmuNet. Once signed, HB 316 will be effective Tuesday, October 1. The legislation was an initiative of the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores. NACDS thanks the Maryland Retail Association for its on-the-ground work in advancing this bill.

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

Karen White2019-04-24T08:52:30-04:00April 18, 2019|Maryland|

Maryland

The Medicaid Pharmacy Program announced, effective Monday, January 28, Kapyay® ER will no longer be preferred over its generic equivalent. The current Preferred Drug List (PDL) is available on the website.

Also in Maryland…The Medicaid Pharmacy Program announced, effective Friday, February 15, Reyataz® capsules will no longer be preferred over its generic equivalent.

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

Michael Angeloni2019-02-05T14:12:42-05:00January 25, 2019|Maryland|

Maryland

Effective January 1, 2019, pharmacists are able to prescribe certain contraceptives to patients and be reimbursed under Medicaid and the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program. The Board of Pharmacy has published online guidance on complying with the law and the required patient screening forms

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

Karen White2019-01-16T10:18:30-05:00January 10, 2019|Maryland|

Maryland

The Department of Health (MDH) is seeking retail pharmacists to serve on the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board. New members will be appointed in January 2019 and applications are due Friday, September 14. Information concerning duties and powers of the board can be found in the latest issue of the Maryland Register. Interested applicants must submit a formal application through the MDH’s Office of Appointments and Executive Nominations. For further information or questions, contact Kim Bennardi of MDH.

Karen White2018-09-14T08:26:09-04:00September 13, 2018|Maryland|

Maryland

The Maryland Medicaid Pharmacy Program will be conducting a stakeholder meeting on Wednesday, June 13 in Baltimore to discuss the mandatory pharmacy cost of dispensing survey that will be conducted this summer. All providers that participate in the Maryland Medicaid Pharmacy Program are invited to attend.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-837-4195.

Michael Angeloni2018-05-25T10:38:59-04:00May 17, 2018|Maryland|

Maryland

The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on SB 13, legislation that would require pharmacies to report dispensing information on all drugs to the state’s Health Information Exchange. The Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores and the Maryland Pharmacists Association testified in opposition to the bill, citing the lack of input by pharmacy previous to the bill being filed. Following that testimony, the Committee adopted a motion directing the Maryland Health Care Commission to further explore the concept through stakeholder’s workgroup meetings.

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

Michael Silber2018-02-14T20:12:42-05:00February 8, 2018|Maryland|