NACDS submitted comments to the Health Care Authority on proposed rules enhancing drug utilization review program requirements intended to promote safe and intended use of opioid medications.
Also in Oklahoma... NACDS submitted comments to the Board of Pharmacy urging them to amend their regulations under review to expand the administrative duties of pharmacy technicians.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The legislature convened on Monday, February 3.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
A law mandating electronic prescribing of all controlled substances which NACDS supported in 2018 went into effect on January 1, 2020. The Board of Pharmacy announced that they have responsibility for the enforcement, application, and interpretation of this statute and have determined that the terms “specified dose” and “different dosage” do not apply to the specific quantity dispensed pursuant to a Schedule II opioid prescription. In order to dispense a lesser than prescribed quantity, a new prescription is not required. (HB 2931-2018)
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
A law mandating electronic prescribing of all controlled substances which NACDS supported in 2018 went into effect on January 1, 2020. The Board of Pharmacy announced that they have responsibility for the enforcement, application, and interpretation of this statute and have determined that the terms “specified dose” and “different dosage” do not apply to the specific quantity dispensed pursuant to a Schedule II opioid prescription. In order to dispense a lesser than prescribed quantity, a new prescription is not required. (HB 2931-2018)
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Governor Kevin Stitt (R) appointed public member Jason Willeford to serve on the Board of Pharmacy, replacing Stephen Dudley.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Health Care Authority (OHCA) that oversees the Medicaid SoonerCare program, appointed Melody Anthony chief state Medicaid director and chief operating officer. She has previously served as deputy state Medicaid director.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
A provision in SB 848 that was enacted earlier this year requires pharmacies to report any opioid as being used for the treatment of acute or chronic pain, and also to report any non-opioid controlled substance prescription. Since the bill included an emergency clause, it took effect immediately in May. The Office of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control (OBNDDC) notified NACDS last week that that they will give all pharmacies enough time to make the necessary programming changes to the Prescription Monitoring Program, but warnings will be sent starting on Sunday, September 1, if the data is not reported. OBNDDC did confirm that they will not begin taking enforcement actions on errors until Wednesday, January 1, 2020.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Health Care Authority’s (OHCA) budget approved by the Legislature earlier this year included 5% across-the-board rate increases for Medicaid providers. The OHCA submitted a SPA to CMS that details the pharmacy professional dispensing fee rate increase from the $10.87 to $11.41 effective Tuesday, October 1. NACDS submitted comments in support of the pharmacy rate increase on-line and encourages members to submit comments electronically.
Also in Oklahoma… Effective Sunday, September 1, the Office of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control will require pharmacies to report any opioid as being used for the treatment of acute or chronic pain as enacted by SB 848. Along with this requirement, the PMP is also requiring pharmacies to report for any non-opioid controlled substance prescription. NACDS submitted a letter sharing concerns that given the inadequate notice to providers of the upcoming implementation and system inabilities, participating pharmacies will not have enough time to make the necessary changes to fully comply with these reporting requirements.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
NACDS is soliciting members’ comments this week on the implementation of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control’s recent announcement regarding changes to the prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) reporting requirements. As a result of the enactment of Oklahoma SB 848, prescribers are required to document any opioid prescription as being acute or chronic on the face of the prescription. As a result, the PDMP is looking to utilize this data by requiring pharmacies to report any opioid as being used for the treatment of acute or chronic pain. Along with this requirement, the PDMP is also requiring pharmacies to report a value of “99-Other” for any non-opioid controlled substance prescription.
NACDS’ analysis of this change is that most pharmacies will need to implement a block in their prescription fulfillment systems to ensure treatment type codes are being entered and reported accordingly for all opioid prescriptions in accordance with SB 848. This is creating a concern in that requiring a value of “99-Other” for all non-opioid controlled substances will create workflow issues in pharmacies which will cause a negative impact for patients.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.