The Board of Pharmacy published a series of proposed rule changes and rescissions they intend to work on this winter. Comments are due to the board on January 17, 2024.

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

The Board of Pharmacy has issued the following communications:

• Important Dates.pdf
• Quick Reference Guide – Pharmacy Technician Trainee Registration Requirements.pdf

Also in Ohio, the Senate passed SB 144 by a vote of 30-1. This is a priority bill for pharmacy that would permanently authorized pharmacists and both certified and registered technicians to administer all vaccines to patients aged five and older. Action in the House is expected in 2024.

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

The Senate Health Committee held the third and final hearing on SB (Senate Bill) 144, sponsored by Sen. Mark Romanchuk (R). The bill would allow pharmacists and technicians to provide all ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) immunizations to children. Witness testimony from all three hearings has been posted on the committee page. We are cautiously optimistic the bill will be reported from the committee before the holiday break but do not expect action in the House until 2024.  

Also in Ohio, the Board of Pharmacy has issued the following rule updates: 

• REVISED Comments for Stakeholder Feedback – Continuous Quality Improvement and Duty to Report (Comments Due 11.30.23).pdf 
• CSI – BIA – Notification of Accessible Services (Comments Due 11.27.23).pdf 
• Public Hearing Labeling of Prescription Drugs 12.12.23.pdf 
• 4729:2-1-01: Pharmacy Interns – definitions, filed with JCARR (Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review) 
• 4729:2-2-08: Pharmacy intern change of info, filed with JCARR 
• 4729:3-2-01: Registration procedures, filed with JCARR 
• 4729:3-3-02: Approved pharm tech training programs, filed with JCARR 
• 4729:7-3-07: Pharmacists’ medication validation, filed with JCARR 

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

The Board of Pharmacy announced that the November board meeting will be held on Monday, November 6th starting at 10:00 am; and Tuesday, November 7th and Wednesday, November 8th starting at 9:00 am. See the monthly agenda, which will be posted on Friday, November 3rd, for more specific information. The link to join the meeting will be available here Monday. The Board also posted the following items and updates on their webpage:  

• Board of Pharmacy Adds Nalmefene as an Overdose Reversal Drug 
• Distribution Overdose Reversal Drugs in Ohio 
• Registered Technician Renewal 2024 
• Pharmacy Technician Continuing Education 
• 202307 – July 10-11, 2023 Board Meeting Minutes.pdf 
• 202308 – August 7, 2023 Board Meeting Minutes.pdf
  202308 – August 7, 2023 Probation Committee Meeting Minutes.pdf 
• 202308- August 16, 2023 Conference Call Minutes.pdf 
• 202309 – September 27, 2023 Conference Call Minutes.pdf
• 202309- September 6, 2023 Conference Call Minutes.pdf 

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

The Senate Health Committee will hold a proponent hearing on SB 144, sponsored by Sen. Mark Romanchuk (R), on October 11 at 9:30 a.m. The legislation would authorize pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to administer routine childhood vaccines to patients 5 years of age and older and remove the prescription requirement for these vaccines. The Ohio Council of Retail Merchants and the Ohio Pharmacists Association will be testifying and NACDS will submit written testimony in support. Testimony and letters of support are due at 9:30 a.m. on October 10. If any members wish to weigh in, either in person or with written testimony, please contact Jill McCormack for further details.

Also in Ohio, the Board of Pharmacy has issued a lengthy agenda for the October 24 public hearing.

Finally in Ohio, the Board of Pharmacy has posted Proposed Compounding Rules related to USP 795 and 797. Comments are due October 24.

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

The Board of Pharmacy published a bulletin complying with the new regulations effective September 1 that authorize technicians to administer immunizations.   

Also in Ohio, Medicaid (ODM) announced new Professional Dispensing Fee Rates in both the SPBM (Single PBM) and Fee-for-Service programs. The increases in the SPBM Managed Care program will be effective September 1, 2023. Since SPA approval is needed for the Fee-For-Service program, ODM projects that implementation would be effective on January 1, 2024.  

Also in Ohio, the Board of Pharmacy has proposed the following rules for stakeholder feedback:  

• 4729:5-3-21 – Continuous Quality Improvement Programs in Pharmacy Services. (NEW – Applies to Outpatient and Institutional Pharmacies)  

• 4729:1-4-02 – Duty to report (Pharmacists). (AMEND)  

• 4729:2-4-02 – Duty to report (Pharmacy Interns). (AMEND)  

• 4729:3-4-02 – Duty to report (Pharmacy Technicians). (AMEND)  

• 4729:5-4-02 – Duty to report (Pharmacies). (NEW)  

Comments on the proposed rules will be accepted until close of business on September 8 and should be submitted here.   

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

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

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

The Board of Pharmacy published a bulletin complying with the new regulations effective on September 1 that authorize technicians to administer immunizations.  

Also in Ohio, Medicaid (ODM) announced new Professional Dispensing Fee Rates in both the SPBM (Single PBM) and Fee-for-Service programs. The increases in the SPBM Managed Care program will be effective September 1, 2023. Since SPA approval is needed for the Fee-For-Service program, ODM projects that implementation would be effective on January 1, 2024. 

Also in Ohio, the Board of Pharmacy has proposed the following rules for stakeholder feedback: 

• 4729:5-3-21 – Continuous Quality Improvement Programs in Pharmacy Services. (NEW – Applies to Outpatient and Institutional Pharmacies) 

• 4729:1-4-02 – Duty to report (Pharmacists). (AMEND) 

• 4729:2-4-02 – Duty to report (Pharmacy Interns). (AMEND) 

• 4729:3-4-02 – Duty to report (Pharmacy Technicians). (AMEND) 

• 4729:5-4-02 – Duty to report (Pharmacies). (NEW)   

Comments on the proposed rules will be accepted until close of business on September 8 and should be submitted here.  

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

The Board of Pharmacy published the agenda for the August 22 public hearing.

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

NACDS reminds members that beginning July 1, Medicaid Fee-for-Service (FFS) pharmacy claims should be submitted to Gainwell with the BIN of 024251, a PCN of OHRXPFFS and the same 12-digit Medicaid ID number used to bill FFS today. All ODM-enrolled pharmacies will be able to submit FFS claims. No separate contracting with the SPBM is required. 

Additionally, prior authorization management will also transition to Gainwell beginning July 1. On this date, prescribers should begin submitting prior authorization requests to Gainwell, using the same forms and processes as used under the SPBM managed care program. All active prior authorizations on file with Change Healthcare will be transferred to Gainwell and will be honored through their original expiration date. 

Pharmacies and pharmacists can find the FFS Pharmacy Reference Guide and Payer Sheet at: Pharmacy Billing Information | pharmacy.medicaid.ohio.gov. 

Also in Ohio, The Common Sense Initiative (CSI) is reviewing the following Board of Pharmacy proposed rules to assess any adverse impact on the business community. To review the Board’s Business Impact Analysis and provide comments to CSI, please click on the links below. 

• 29:6-3-09 – Satellite Distribution Sites During a Public Health Emergency 
• 4279:5-3-21 – Point of Dispensing Locations During a Public Health Emergency  
• 4729:7-3-06 – Allows pharmacists to conduct medication validation (e.g., the final check) of a drug compounded in a prescriber clinic. 

The Board of Pharmacy is also seeking comments by July 28 on adding Nalmefene Nasal Spray under the definition of an overdose reversal drug to make it be available for widespread lay distribution in Ohio without a prescription, like naloxone. 

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