The state filed a motion with the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in PCMA v. Mulready asking the appellate court to stay the lower court’s enforcement of its original decision striking down the state’s PBM law, considering the state’s planned Supreme Court review of the appellate court’s refusal to overturn that lower court decision. While such a request is not often granted, a stay is needed to ensure the state can enforce its PBM laws while it petitions the Supreme Court for further review.

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

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the State of Oklahoma’s petition for rehearing in PCMA v. Mulready. The state now has 90 days to petition the Supreme Court for further review. 

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

The Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBN) alerted the Board of Pharmacy of the ongoing cyberattack regarding Ardent Health Services that is affecting multiple facilities in the state including Hillcrest Health System, Bailey Medical Center, and Utica Park Clinics, among others. The Board issued guidance for pharmacies that receive prescriptions for controlled substances from Ardent Health providers to continue filling the prescriptions received while continuing due diligence in confirming the prescription itself is valid and accurate, regardless of the manner or media received. This is a temporary solution to ensure prescribers can continue patient care until they can obtain OBN prescription pads.

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

Pursuant to “Technician Rules for Administering Immunizations [535:15-13-6.1] rules, a permitted Oklahoma pharmacy technician must have successfully completed an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) immunization training program for technicians. All technician applications submitted must include the initial training Certificate of Completion / Achievement from one of the accredited programs: APHA (American Pharmacists Association), PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board), ACA, ASHP (American Society of Hospital Pharmacists), NPTA or Purdue University.

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

Effective September 1, 2023, pharmacy technicians may administer any vaccine that is approved or licensed by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) if they have successfully completed an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)-accredited training program and have current CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certification. Also, the pharmacy technician must complete one hour of immunization-related ACPE-accredited or Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy-approved continuing education every year.

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

Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) convened a special session of the legislature on October 3 to address tax reforms.

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

The Board of Pharmacy adopted Chapter 15 approved rule allowing pharmacy technicians to administer immunizations, effective September 1, 2023.    

Also in Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) appointed Ellen Buettner as the new CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) which oversees Oklahoma's Medicaid program. She had served as Chief of Staff since 2019.  

Finally in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Pharmacists Association's (OPhA) annual convention was held in Oklahoma City last weekend where the President of Osborn Drugs, Bill Osborn, was sworn in to serve as the President of OPhA.  

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

The Board of Pharmacy adopted Chapter 15 approved rule allowing pharmacy technicians to administer immunizations, effective September 1, 2023.  

Also in Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) appointed Ellen Buettner as the new CEO of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) which oversees Oklahoma's Medicaid program. She had served as Chief of Staff since 2019. 

Finally in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Pharmacists Association's (OPhA) annual convention was held in Oklahoma City last weekend where the President of Osborne Drugs, Bill Osborn, was sworn in to serve as the President of OPhA. 

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

Gov. Greg Stitt (R) appointed pharmacist Greg Huenergardt to the Board of Pharmacy, effective July 1, 2023, replacing Dr. Justin Wilson. 

Also in Oklahoma, CMS sent the Health Care Authority (OHCA) Board a SPA (State Plan Amendment) approval letter confirming that Medicaid recognizes pharmacists as healthcare providers and will reimburse for services they provide within their scope of practice pursuant to state law, including but not limited to administration of any vaccinations or immunizations recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). 

Also in Oklahoma, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner issued Bulletin 4-2023 detailing the new legislative requirements of Step Therapy Protocol and Biomarker testing (HB 1736, HB 2748, and SB  513). 

Finally in Oklahoma, Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready (R) provided an update on the resolution of the Caremark 90-day prescriptions.  

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