In the first week of its lame-duck session, the Senate passed SB 920, legislation with pharmacy regulatory relief provisions that were rescinded when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s (D) Executive Orders either lapsed or were invalidated by the State Supreme Court. Key provisions pertain to emergency refills, therapeutic interchange, remote supervision, and out of state licensing. It is unclear if or how the House can act on the legislation, however, given the cancelation of session days due to the COVID-19 outbreak among House members and staff coinciding with last week’s visit from Rudy Guliani.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

The Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is regularly updating its document entitled “COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Providers” and recommends bookmarking the website to ensure you are accessing the most up-to-date version. Please visit the above websites for more information.

Also in Michigan. The MDHHS Division of Immunizations has released a new online COVID-19 Provider Vaccination Registration form. Pharmacies who plan to participate in the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine may now enroll. There is also a sample COVID-19 Provider Registration form and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that has information on how to enroll in the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR) which is a pre-requisite to applying to be a COVID-19 provider.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed into law HB 6293, legislation authorizing pharmacies to order a laboratory test that is classified by the United States Food and Drug Administration as moderate or high complexity for the purposes of administering COVID-19 testing services. The law became effective November 5 and expires on June 30, 2021.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

In the wake of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Orders being rescinded with immediate effect by the State Supreme Court, legislation to authorize COVID-19 testing by pharmacists has cleared both the House and Senate. HB 6293 now heads to the Governor. NACDS and partners continue to work with SB 920 as a possible vehicle for restoring other rescinded regulatory relief.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued a bulletin indicating that pharmacists can receive reimbursement from Medicaid for flu vaccines retroactively beginning Oct. 1, 2020, for administering flu vaccines to individuals three years and older in accordance with the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act). Under this bulletin, the state will pay pharmacies the ingredient costs for vaccines and will allow for the billing, up to the state allowable cost, for administration fees.

Also in Michigan. The Michigan Pharmacists Association has appointed Mark Glasper as its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) beginning in January 2021. Mark Glasper currently serves as CEO of the Kentucky Pharmacists Association.

Also in Michigan. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed the state budget into law with pharmacy-related provisions taking effect on February 1, 2021. Of note, for pharmacies with seven or fewer outlets, Managed Medicaid reimbursement will follow fee-for-service reimbursement methodology. The State will also move to a single preferred drug list, create reporting requirements to improve transparency around pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and remove clawbacks from the Medicaid program.

Lastly in Michigan. The State Supreme Court struck down Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s (D) executive orders (EO) related to COVID-19, effectively ruling that any EO signed after April 30 was null and void. NACDS and its in-state partners are working to legislate the business efficiencies covered in the rescinded EO’s. HB 6293, a bill authorizing pharmacists to provide COVID testing, is now headed to the Governor.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

The Board of Pharmacy Rules Committee Work Group met on October 7 to discuss the Controlled Substance Rule. The meeting agenda can be found here. The full Board will meet on October 14, 2020. The meeting agenda and Zoom meeting access information can be found here.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

The Michigan Opioids Task Force and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) have announced the details about two virtual opioids town halls.  MDHHS and the Michigan Opioids Task Force will share a 2020 strategy and seek feedback from the public and host a Q-and-A about the crisis response.

Also in Michigan.  The annual Michigan Medicaid Health Plan common formulary stakeholder meeting will be held virtually this year due to COVID-19.  Information about how to join via Microsoft Teams can be found in this press release.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs’ Bureau of Professional Licensing has filed a Request for Rulemaking pertaining to Central Fill Pharmacies. NACDS will share additional information as it becomes available.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

The Michigan Board of Pharmacy’s Rules Committee will meet on September 23, 2020, to discuss its Controlled Substance rule.  The amended agenda and meeting information can be found here.

Also in Michigan, the Board of Pharmacy’s General Rules and Continuing Education Rules will have a public hearing on October 4, 2020.  Hearing information can be found here.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.