NACDS reminds members that HB 6 was effective on May 14. The law, sponsored by Rep. Bill Roemer (R), authorized pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to individuals over the age of seven. It also authorized pharmacists to order and administer tests for COVID-19 and COVID-19 antibodies. Pharmacy interns and certified pharmacy technicians may also order and administer tests under so under direct supervision. Additionally, it allows the Board of Pharmacy to register pharmacy technician trainee applicants over the age of 17 without a high-school diploma if the individual is enrolled in a career-technical school program. The board may also authorize applicants who are registered in another state or have satisfactory work experience or certification in a state without a registration process in place.

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

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) announced the selection of six health care organizations that will provide managed care services starting in 2022. Additional information about the MCO announcement can be found in this press release and supplemental briefing documents. Further information about the planned reforms to and administration of the managed care program can be found at:

• Ohio Medicaid Managed Care Procurement
• Single Pharmacy Benefit Manager
• Fiscal Intermediary (FI)
• Provider Network Management (PNM) Module & Centralized Credentialing 

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

Outpatient pharmacies in Ohio must now store all schedule II controlled substance dangerous drugs in a “securely locked, substantially constructed cabinet or safe,” which must remain locked and secured when not in use.  Ohio Admin. Code 4729:5-5-23(A)(5). Schedule II substances can no longer be dispersed among a pharmacy’s stock of dangerous drugs. Pharmacies may store schedule III through V controlled substance dangerous drugs with schedule II controlled substance dangerous drugs in a safe or cabinet or continue to disperse them among non-controlled substances.  For more detail see page 45 of the updated Inspection Guide. Though it was originally effective December 1, 2020, the Board of Pharmacy delayed implementation of this new requirement until March 31, 2021, because of COVID-19.

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

NACDS authored and the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants presented joint testimony in support of HB 6 before the House State and Local Government Committee. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bill Roemer (R), would permanently allow pharmacists to provide COVID-19 and flu vaccines under protocols; as well as immunizations for “any other disease” by prescription to patients aged 7 and older. NACDS will continue working with key legislators to amend the bill to mirror pharmacists’ immunization authority under the Prep Act. Our testimony urged that the General Assembly strongly consider maintaining their constituents’ current access to pharmacy-based vaccine services as the bill moves forward in the process.

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