Effective January 7, 2019, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority implemented Phase 1 of a daily Morphine Milligram Equivalent (MME) limit for SoonerCare (Medicaid) pharmacy claims. It covers both short-acting and long-acting opioid formulations. Opioid MME daily totals exceeding 240 will require prior authorization (PA) with patient-specific, clinically significant reasoning why the member requires more than 240 MME per day.* This limit will gradually decrease over a six-month period, allowing providers to develop and implement tapering plans for appropriate patients. The end goal is a target of 100 MME or less.

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

Earlier this month, the Health Care Authority approved an across-the-board Sooner-Care (Medicaid) provider reimbursement rate increase effective Monday, October 1. The three percent increase, or 32-cent increase in the dispensing fee to $10.87 for pharmacies, is effective Monday, October 1.

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

The Board of Pharmacy announced that former Board Member Dorothy Gourley, D.Ph. will serve as interim executive director while the Board conducts a search for a new executive director.

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

At the Board of Pharmacy’s emergency meeting on July 25, Executive Director Chelsea Church was fired effective immediately. Church is under investigation by the District Attorney for allegedly offering a high paying job to a Health Department lawyer in exchange for writing rules requiring a pharmacist at medical marijuana dispensaries.

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

On May 8, Gov. Mary Fallin (R) signed into law HB 2931, legislation mandating e-prescribing for Schedules II-V controlled substances prescriptions by Wednesday, January 1, 2020.

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

HB 2931, legislation mandating e-prescribing for Schedules II-V controlled substances by January 1, 2020, passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate and is headed to Gov. Mary Fallin (R) for consideration.

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

The Board of Pharmacy issued clarifications to licensed pharmacists on how to handle Schedule II controlled substances prescriptions when the entire quantity is not covered by insurance and the Drug Abuse Treatment Act-Waived Physicians.

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

HB 2931, legislation NACDS and a broad coalition support that would phase-in a mandate for e-prescribing of all controlled substances, passed the House and was referred to the Senate for consideration.

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

HB 2931, legislation that would mandate electronic prescribing introduced by Rep. Glen Mulready (R), is scheduled to be heard in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, February 28.

Also in Oklahoma…NACDS sent the Board of Pharmacy a letter requesting that they establish a Technician Task Force stakeholder group to explore all issues related to enhancing the use of technicians in retail community pharmacies.

Also in Oklahoma…On February 13, chain and independent pharmacists and pharmacy students participated in the annual Oklahoma Pharmacists Association’s Day at the Capitol which NACDS supported. After a briefing by Sen. Rob Standridge (R) and others, the group walked the halls to educate lawmakers on mandatory e-prescribing and other pending legislation important to pharmacies.

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