California

The Board of Pharmacy announced the modification and/or extension of the waivers of Pharmacy Law issued in response to the Los Angeles Fires.

The waiver that provides flexibility to increase the number of pharmacy technicians a pharmacist may supervise has been modified and the expiration date has been extended to June 30, 2025 (or the termination date of the state of emergency, whichever is sooner).

The expiration date of the waiver that provides flexibility for pharmacy personnel to perform some functions from outside of a licensed pharmacy has been extended to June 30, 2025 (or the termination date of the state of emergency, whichever is sooner).

The expiration date of the waiver to allow for the delivery of drugs to an alternate location has been extended to March 31, 2025 (or the termination date of the state of emergency, whichever is sooner).

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following:

Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and a weekly notice on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note the 2025 prescription volume attestation survey will be available to providers March 1 through March 31. Also, to avoid mail delivery delays and save paper, Medi-Cal Rx encourages pharmacy providers to opt into receiving the Medi-Cal Rx remittance information via the Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA) format.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2025-02-20T13:46:06-05:00February 20, 2025|Alabama, Alaska, California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Massachusetts, Montana, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont|

Oregon

NACDS prepared and delivered verbal and written testimony before the House of Representatives Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee in full support of HB 3212. Additionally, the testimony included how this crucial bill aims to reform PBMs and address their dangerous tactics that threaten the vitality of neighborhood pharmacies and patient access. Specifically, HB 3212 would prohibit spread pricing and patient steering, restrict PBMs from mandating pharmacies to provide a health care service at a loss, prohibit PBMs from requiring further accreditation standards beyond those currently required by the Oregon Board of Pharmacy, help to ensure network adequacy, and most importantly, help to ensure reasonable and relevant reimbursement to community pharmacies that covers the true costs for pharmacies to purchase and dispense prescription drugs. NACDS urged lawmakers to advance HB 3212 to help ensure reasonable pharmacy reimbursement and protect patients’ access to trusted pharmaceutical care across the state.

Also in Oregon, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board held a meeting on February 19. Generally, the agenda and materials for this meeting was focused on policies, processes, and administrative matters, plus a legislative update. Register here in advance.

Also in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) published proposed rules establishing guidelines for enhanced payment to qualified providers under the Culturally and Linguistic Specific Services program. A 22 percent and 27 percent increase in fee-for-service payments for traditional health worker providers, programs, and organizations in urban and rural areas, respectively, will enable OHA to continue investments to improve access to care, incentivize culturally and linguistically specific services, invest in workforce diversity and support staff recruitment.

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for the February 24 Executive Director Recruitment Subcommittee Meeting.

Also in Oregon, the Immunization Policy Advisory Team will meet on March 6. Draft agenda items include welcome, introductions of new members; public comment; respiratory season wrap-up—COVID-19, influenza, pertussis, RSV; data dashboards; legislation update; Project Horizon—program resize; ALERT IIS Replacement Project update; school requirements—new administrative rules; wrap-up. The final agenda will be available at the meeting or via email request three days before the meeting date.

Finally in Oregon, on February 6, the Board of Pharmacy adopted a statement on semaglutide.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2025-02-20T13:34:37-05:00February 20, 2025|Oregon|

California

The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts, monthly bulletin, and weekly notice on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:   

 

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy shared the California Health Alert Network message related to “Emergency Assistance for Those Impacted by the Wildfires.” 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2025-02-06T16:25:58-05:00February 6, 2025|California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Massachusetts, Montana, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont|

California

As of January 27, the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, and Hughes Fire have burned nearly 50,000 acres in the Los Angeles County area. The Palisades Fire is at 94% containment, Eaton Fire is at 98% containment, Hughes Fire is at 95% containment. There have been minimal pharmacy closures in the impacted areas of California due to the wildfires. Healthcare Ready deactivated RxOpen on January 28 but will be monitoring the event in case any other impacts arise.

The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) was activated last week– and will remain active through March 15, 2025 – for those impacted by the California wildfires. Pharmacies and pharmacists play an essential role in educating patients about the availability of EPAP benefits. We encourage and support sharing the resources below with the public to enhance awareness:

NACDS is working with Healthcare Ready to provide support with outreach. Any insight, feedback or concerns regarding patient utilization of EPAP is appreciated. Please share your feedback with NACDS’ Lincy Abraham no later than February 3. If you are interested and willing to help support efforts to enhance awareness, you may also contact Healthcare Ready at 866-247-2694.

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking pertaining to Pharmacist Services, DHCS-19-002. The written comment period closes on February 5, 2025. DHSC posted the following related to the Public Comment Period

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following weekly notice on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for January 17-23.

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy has proposed additional modifications to Title 16 CCR § 1711, related to the Quality Assurance Programs. Any person who wishes to comment on the proposed modifications may do so by submitting written comments beginning January 27 and ending on February 11, to the following:

Contact Person: Lori Martinez

Agency Name: California State Board of Pharmacy

Address: 2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Ste 100, Sacramento, CA 95834

Email: PharmacyRulemaking@dca.ca.gov

Fax: (916) 574-8618

Any responses to comments directly concerning the proposed modifications to the text of the regulations will be considered and responded to in the Final Statement of Reasons.

All documents related to this regulatory action are available on the Board’s website: https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/laws_regs/pending_regs.shtml.

Also in California, the board of pharmacy issued a reminder that licenses that are eligible for renewal will be processed online effective January 1, 2025. Those who are eligible include:

In most cases, the license expires at the end of the month of the licensee’s registered birthday for pharmacists, advanced practice pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. For designated representatives, the license expires at the first of the month.

The Board of Pharmacy will no longer mail out a paper renewal application for the above licenses. In its place, a postcard reminder will be sent approximately six weeks prior to the license expiration date and the licensee will renew by going to www.pharmacy.ca.gov. The postcard is only a reminder, if the licensee does not receive a postcard, they are still required to submit his/her payment on-time to avoid a delinquency fee and possible cancellation of the license.

For Pharmacists and Advanced Practice Pharmacists, if your license expired more than two years ago, you are not eligible to renew your license online. Contact the Board at RenewalStatus@dca.ca.gov for assistance.

Renewal payment transactions must be completed prior to 5:00 pm Pacific on the date the license expires to avoid the delinquency fee.

Online payments made after 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time are not credited on the day of the transaction. Print the payment confirmation at the end of this transaction for your records. Once the online payment is submitted, please allow two business days for processing.

Licensees are required to notify the board of any change of address within 30 days. Change of address may take between 7-10 business days to update in the system. If the correct address is not in the system at the time of renewal, the process may be delayed. Address changes can be made on-line or in writing to the board.

When renewing online, the licensee must confirm that his/her address is correct before submitting the paymentFees changed beginning January 1, 2025. The updated fee schedule with the new fees has been posted on the board’s website.

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted the February 5-6, 2025 Board meeting agenda on its website. Of interest, please note the discussion and possible action related to compounded drug preparations, hazardous drugs and radiopharmaceuticals and waiver of pharmacy law provisions in response to the state of emergency related to the Palisades Fire.

Finally in California, Covered California announced a special enrollment period for residents of Los Angeles and Ventura counties until March 8, 2025. Resources are available through Los Angeles County and the State of California.  Of the 1.3 million uninsured Californians who qualify for subsidies through Covered California or are eligible for Medi-Cal coverage, 356,000 reside in Southern California. Through the BenefitsCal portal, Californians can get and manage benefits online. This includes food assistance (CalFresh, formerly food stamps), cash aid (CalWORKs, General Assistance, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants), and affordable health insurance (Medi-Cal).

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2025-01-30T13:36:41-05:00January 30, 2025|California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Massachusetts, Montana, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont|

Oregon

The February 5-7 Board of Pharmacy Meeting agenda and meeting materials are now available. Please note that on February 5, the board will meet in Executive Session immediately after recusal announcements and anticipates resuming Open Session between 4:00-5:00 pm. Also on February 6, the board will meet in Executive Session after roll call and anticipates resuming Open Session between 10:00 am – 12:00 noon.  The board will meet in Open Session on February 7. Additional meeting materials may be added to the agenda prior to the board meeting. Visit the board website for current meeting materials.

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy announced the following board member opportunity: Pharmacist – Board Member. Board members are appointed by Gov. Tina Kotek (D) and each Board member serves at the pleasure of the Governor. Interesting persons my apply to serve on the Board; please visit the Board Member Opportunities page, review ORS 689.115 and apply via Workday. For more information visit the State of Oregon Boards and Commissions website.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2025-01-30T13:24:54-05:00January 30, 2025|Oregon|

California

On January 17, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) issued a news release detailing the Department’s work to expand support for Medi-Cal members impacted by the Southern California wildfires. DHCS swiftly implemented key administrative flexibilities to protect Medi-Cal members in affected regions of the state. These efforts included simplified Medi-Cal enrollment and renewal processes, waived requirements to access prescription medications and medical devices and other flexibilities to ensure all Medi-Cal members have access to care during this emergency. Additionally, DHCS is actively seeking further federal flexibilities to expand support for impacted Medi-Cal members and providers.  

Also in California, beginning January 17, the federal Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) activated the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) for specific zip codes in California to help uninsured residents replace prescription medicines and/or certain medical equipment lost or damaged in the 2025 Los Angeles Fires. EPAP has been activated through March 15, 2025. To locate participating pharmacies, visit EPAP Enrolled Pharmacies.  

Also in California, on January 17, DHCS began hosting a weekly Medi-Cal Rx Pediatric Integration webinar. Webinars will be held every Friday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm PST to support partner readiness. Partners, including pharmacy providers and prescribers, should plan to attend a webinar prior to the implementation of Medi-Cal Rx Pediatric Integration on January 31. More information is available on the Medi-Cal Rx Education & Outreach webpage. 

Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and weekly notice on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2025-01-24T14:05:04-05:00January 24, 2025|Alabama, Alaska, California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Massachusetts, Montana, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont|

Oregon

The Division of Financial Regulation recently announced  permanent rulemaking repealing 836-053-0025, the regulation of the insulin co-pay amount for health benefit plans for the state, as a result of SB 1508 (2024) effective January 1, 2025.

Also in Oregon, the Division of Financial Regulation recently announced permanent rulemaking amending 836-052-1000, establishing and updating the list of prosthetic and orthotic devices; prohibiting internal or separate limits or caps on prosthetic and orthotic devices, other than the lifetime policy maximum, when permitted by law; and defining when coverage for prosthetic and orthotic device is provided through a managed care organization effective January 1, 2025.

Also in Oregon, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted an agenda and meeting materials for its December 18 meeting. You must register in advance to participate.

Finally in Oregon, the Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board has posted to the website the UPL report for the Oregon Legislature pursuant to ORS 646A.685.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2024-12-13T10:24:40-05:00December 13, 2024|Oregon|

Oregon

The December 11-12, 2024 Board of Pharmacy Meeting agenda and meeting materials are now available. Please note that on December 11, the board will meet in Executive Session immediately after recusal announcements and anticipates resuming Open Session between 4:00 pm-5:00 pm. Also please note that on December 12, the board will meet in Executive Session after roll call and anticipates resuming Open Session at 1:00 pm. The Public may attend the board meeting in person during Open Session. Please see the meeting agenda for additional meeting information. Please be advised that additional meeting materials may be added to the agenda prior to the board meeting. Visit the board website for current meeting materials.

Also in Oregon, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted an agenda for its December 18 meeting. Please note the “Board discussion and vote on both the policy recommendations for the Oregon Legislature and the annual report to the Oregon Legislature as well as the board’s receipt of the initial, preliminary list of prescription drugs and insulin for affordability review”. You must register in advance to participate.

Finally in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy published its November 2024 Newsletter to Promote Pharmacy and Drug Law Compliance.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2024-12-06T09:02:57-05:00December 6, 2024|Oregon|

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