NACDS and the Chain Pharmacy Association of New York State met with the New York State (NYS) Bureau of Immunizations to discuss pharmacy participation in the federally-funded Vaccines for Children program. Also, the state is developing a Memorandum of Understand (MOU) for chain pharmacies so that the state has a method of communicating with pharmacies in the case of a pandemic. Once that MOU is complete, NACDS will distribute it to members operating in the state.

Also in New York…NACDS and the Chain Pharmacy Association of New York State met with the NYS Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE) to discuss the opioid tax assessment program and the drug disposal program. The opioid tax assessment program enacted earlier this year will result in additional revenue to the state totaling $100 million annually. The invoices to the impacted drug manufacturers and wholesale distributors have been sent. In addition, the newly enacted statewide drug disposal legislation has a series of 2019 target dates. We have asked BNE to hold a stakeholder meeting to ensure that all interested parties continue to participate in the development of the program.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

NACDS participated in the Board of Pharmacy meeting. A significant portion of the meeting focused on electronic prescribing and best practices. The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12, 2019 in Albany.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

NACDS participated in the Board of Pharmacy meeting. A significant portion of the meeting focused on electronic prescribing and best practices. The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12, 2019 in Albany.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

At the request of NACDS and the New York State Pharmacy Coalition, the New York State Department of Health issued the New York State Opioid Annual Assessment Reporting Guidance for pharmacies about how to manage any obligations for opioids that are stored in intracompany distribution centers in the state under the newly created opioid assessment program that was established by the enactment of the Opioid Stewardship Act. The guidance was effective July 1 and reporting requirements are effective on Wednesday, August 1.

Also in New York…This week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed S9100, The Drug Take Back Act, into law. The newly enacted law requires certain drug manufacturers to fund a statewide drug take back program to be implemented by pharmacies operating in 10 or more locations. It takes effect in 180 days and 180 days from then the manufacturers are required to submit their drug take back plans to the New York State Department of Health (DOH) for approval. Also, DOH is authorized to begin to develop regulations and other work around implementation prior to the effective date.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

The New York State legislature passed legislation (A02857D/S1043D) authorizing pharmacy interns to administer immunizations.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

This week, the Senate unanimously passed the pharmacy technician registration and certification proposal (NY-SB 5584). The bill will now be sent to the Assembly for its consideration.

Also in New York… NACDS joined the Chain Pharmacy Association of New York State and the New York pharmacy coalition in a meeting with the acting Medicaid Director Donna Frescatore to discuss the expanded roles that pharmacies can play in providing healthcare to the state’s Medicaid recipients.

Also in New York… This week, both the Senate and the Assembly passed NY S9100 / NY A9576-B, legislation that would require drug manufacturers to pay for public education, collection, transport and destruction of leftover drugs. It would also require mail-order pharmacies and pharmacy chains of 10 or more stores to provide on-site collection, vouchers for prepaid mail-back envelopes or other U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-approved methods of drug disposal. The legislation also includes language pre-empting county/local ordinances. The Governor has until the end of the calendar year to sign the legislation into law.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

This week, the Senate passed S.1043D/A2857D (companion bills) permitting pharmacy interns to administer all authorized vaccines in the state. It will now go to Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) for his signature.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

NACDS joined the Chain Pharmacy Association of New York State and New York pharmacy community to talk with key state legislators during a lobby day focused on drug take back initiatives. Currently, there are several pending legislative proposals in both the Assembly and the Senate. It remains unclear which of these proposals will advance. 

Also in New York…NACDS attended the recent meeting of the New York State Board of Pharmacy. During the meeting, Surescripts led a discussion on the quality improvements in electronic prescribing as part of its prescription accuracy initiatives. Also, several board members suggested a discussion of supervising pharmacists’ roles, requirements and responsibilities as a topic for a future meeting.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

Last week, NACDS joined over 700 pharmacists and pharmacy interns in meetings with state legislators to urge passage of several key pieces of legislation including allowing pharmacy interns to immunize, allow comprehensive medication management in the community pharmacy setting and recognition of pharmacy technicians in statute and regulation.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.