Gov. Michael Parson (R) may soon call a special session to address one critical piece of the budget, the Federal Reimbursement Allowance (FRA) or provider tax extension. FRA is a key funding mechanism for the Missouri Medicaid program for pharmacy, hospitals, nursing homes, and ambulance districts. Failure to extend these provider taxes will create a multi-billion dollar shortfall in Medicaid funding when the new federal fiscal year begins on October 1, 2021.

Also in Missouri: before adjournment, the legislature finally passed SB 63, a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) bill, making it the 50^th state to adopt a statewide program.

Lastly in Missouri, unfortunately, although a PBM reform bill HB 834 by Rep. Dale Wright (R) did pass the House 126-8, it failed to advance in the Senate.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Last week, the Missouri Legislature passed legislation SB 63 establishing the framework for a statewide PDMP. Once operational, this new program will preempt any local PDMP program such as the one set up by St. Louis County that numerous other municipalities throughout the State of Missouri have opted to participate in. Initially, the statewide program will require pharmacies to report dispensing data for schedule II, III & IV controlled substance prescriptions into the PDMP every 24 hours, but the reporting timeframe will phase over to real-time reporting by 2024. The legislation next goes to the Governor to be signed into law. Once enacted, Missouri will become the last state in the nation to establish a PDMP.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Department of Social Services HealthNet Division (DSSHD) issued a rule removing obsolete provisions in addition to referencing new provisions establishing the payment methodology for covered entities under the 340B drug pricing program that choose to carve in Medicaid. DSSHD also adopted regulations establishing the payment methodology for covered entities under the 340B drug pricing program that choose to carve in Medicaid. These rules are effective July 1, 2021, and expire on February 24, 2022.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Board of Pharmacy approved a final rule effective May 30, 2021, allowing pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines authorized by the federal Department of Health and Human Services during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. The rule currently is in effect as an emergency rule, expiring June 8, 2021.

Also in Missouri, the Department of Commerce and Insurance announced that the pharmacist’s statewide standing orders for naloxone dispensing as well as the COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) previously signed by Dr. Williams have been rescinded because he resigned. The new statewide standing orders are signed by the authorizing physician, Dr. George Turabelidze, MD. The revised orders are available on DHHS’s website and the Board’s COVID-19 webpage.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Board of Pharmacy held a two-day meeting this week. Among the items discussed were updated on pending legislation that impacts pharmacies and a general discussion on pharmacy workforce conditions.

Also in Missouri, on March 3, CMS approved a SPA to allow pharmacists to bill MO HealthNet for all services within their scope of practice.  The effective date was retroactive to January 1, 2021.  More information can be found here.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

NACDS sponsored the Missouri Pharmacists Association’s Day at the Capitol. MPA’s priority bill, HB 834 by Rep. Dale Wright (R) that regulates PBMs, passed the House and was referred to the Senate Government Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee rather than the Senate Health Committee. More information can be found here.

Also in Missouri, the Board of Pharmacy issued a final rule effective May 30, 2021, that allows additional time to fulfill prescription transfer requests from parties other than the patient. The rule requires transfer requests to be completed in a timely manner and ensures no interruption in patient therapy.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

NACDS sponsored the Missouri Pharmacists Association’s Day at the Capitol. MPA’s priority bill, HB 834 by Rep. Dale Wright (R) that regulates PBMs, passed the House and is pending referral to a Senate Committee.  More information can be found here.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.