NACDS submitted comments to the State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control (OBNDD) on proposed rule changes pertaining to the information that pharmacies are required to report to Oklahoma’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP). The letter recommended that the data pharmacies are required to report should be limited to information that is required to be on a controlled substance prescription and/or required to process third party claims. NACDS also commented that costly software changes would be needed for pharmacy dispensing and management computer systems to accommodate the reporting of added data elements.

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

March 10, 2020 is Pharmacy Legislative Day at the Capitol.

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

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.