Effective 8/30/2022, all pharmacies located in the state must post physically or electronically a sign at the pharmacy indicating that the pharmacy is licensed and regulated by the Missouri Board of Pharmacy including the Board’s address, telephone number, and email address. The Board will be mailing each pharmacy a sign at no cost prior to August 15th. An electronic version of the sign will also be available for copying after August 1^st. The required sign must be prominently posted near the pharmacy in a manner and location that is easily viewable and readable by the public.

Also in Missouri, the New Preferred Drug Searchable Database for MO HealthNet Pharmacy Program is now live.

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

On July 14, the MO HealthNet Pharmacy Program transitioned the Preferred Drug Searchable Database to a new vendor. If the new database is unavailable, providers may use the Pharmacy Clinical Edits and Preferred Drug Lists webpage. 

Also in Missouri, MO HealthNet Division (MHD) will begin desk audits of providers to ensure proper billing units are used for drugs billed to MO HealthNet. Providers are responsible for proper billing of claims as outlined in Section 15 of the Pharmacy Provider Manual. Providers must have adequate documentation and these records must be made available to MO HealthNet upon request. 

Also in Missouri, announced provider rate increases contingent on CMS approving the State Plan amendment (SPA). Until then, current rates remain in effect. 

Finally in Missouri, Gov. Mike Parsons (R) signed into law two opioid bills effective August 28, 2022. HB 2162 expands the definition of opioid antagonists that can be dispensed under a prescriber’s protocol or standing order to include addiction mitigation medications, and MO HB 2331 allows a pharmacist to dispense and opioid antagonist under a protocol or standing order. 

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

Pharmacy technician licenses expired May 31, 2022. Any technician that did not renew cannot work until the Board office has renewed their license. While the online renewal option ended on May 31st, a paper renewal is available online.  

The Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (DCI) Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is opening its application portal for pharmacies to receive and dispense the oral antivirals Paxlovid and Lagevrio (Molnupiravir) to COVID-19 patients with prescriptions.

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

The legislature adjourned on May 13. Prior to adjournment, HB 3010, legislation that provides funding for the distribution of naloxone passed both houses and was sent to Gov. Mike Parsons (R). Also sent to the Governor for his signature was HB 2162, that will allow pharmacists to sell and dispense opioid antagonists under a physician protocol or statewide standing order.

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

In advance of the April 12^th Senate Insurance and Banking hearing on HCR HB 1677, NACDS submitted a letter supporting certain provisions of the legislation that would strengthen Missouri’s PBMs laws to enhance patients’ ability to receive pharmacy care from their pharmacy of choice and improve provisions for fair and equitable standards for the management of pharmacy benefits. In our letter, NACDS specifically called out support for the provisions that would prohibit PBMs from preventing, penalizing or restricting patients’ ability to obtain services from a contracted pharmacy; the provisions that would enhance the appeals process to requiring PBMs to increase a pharmacy’s reimbursement in instances when reimbursement is found to be below a pharmacy’s cost for purchasing a drug; and the provisions that would prevent PBMs from imposing unwarranted fees on claims related to administering a health plan.

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

The MO HealthNet Division recently issued a new COVID vaccine provider bulletin.  

Also in Missouri, the Department of Commerce’s Department of Health, and Senior Services (DHSS) and Insurance issued a new Standing Order for COVID tests provided by pharmacies. DHSS’s previously issued Standing Orders are available here. 

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

MO HealthNet (Medicaid) issued an Opioid Policy update strengthening clinical policies and expanding coverage of non-opioid medications and services to treat chronic pain. MO HealthNet believes in a comprehensive approach to treating and managing pain while also reducing the risk of patient harm, continuing to encourage providers to evaluate non-opioid options to treat patient pain. 

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

The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) issued a standing order on March 15th signed by the state Epidemiologist, Dr. George Turabelidze, enabling individuals to receive coverage for purchased tests for SARS-CoV-2. This policy authorizes Missouri pharmacies to charge an individual’s insurance carrier, whether it is private insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare coverage, for COVID-19 testing. Additional state testing resources are available at health.mo.gov/communitytest.  

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

Legislation that would expand pharmacists’ scope of practice bill, HB 2452 by Rep. Bennie Cook (R) was referred to the House Emerging Issues Committee. Hearing date has not been set. 

Also in Missouri, HB 2452 & SB (Senate Bill) 1126, legislation has been filed in both the House and Senate that proposes to modify  the definition of a medication therapeutic plan by repealing language defining it by the prescription order must be specific to each patient, The bills also would re-define the practice of pharmacy to include the ordering and administering of U.S. FDA-approved or authorized vaccines to persons at least 7 years of age or the CDC-approved age, whichever is older, pursuant to rules promulgated by the Board of Pharmacy and the Board of Registration for the Healing Arts or rules promulgated under a state of emergency.  

Finally in Missouri, effective February 4, 2022, an emergency rule reinstated pharmacy’s ability to use out-of-state vendors to help fill orders for drugs. 

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