The Department of Health issued a buprenorphine guidance document, which focuses on reducing barriers to accessing Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD). The document includes a frequently asked questions section that addresses inquiries from prescribers and pharmacists about MOUD. It also offers insights on enforcement practices, buprenorphine prescribing, continuity of care and telehealth prescriptions. All questions can be directed to RA-DHRESOURCESERVICE@pa.gov.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Senate has unanimously approved Gov. Josh Shapiro’s (D) executive nomination to add James “Jim” Reed to the State Board of Pharmacy. Jim is the Pharmacy Regional Manager for Weis Markets and previously served in several pharmacy leadership roles for Walgreens.

Also in Pennsylvania, Medical Assistance has updated the domain name of the Provider Enrollment application web page.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Department of Human Services published a bulletin to make providers aware of upcoming changes to its domain and URLs in the PROMISe payment system.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Board of Pharmacy posted the meeting agenda and remote access instructions for its July meeting.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

After several weeks of intense negotiations and multiple meetings among the General Assembly and stakeholders, HB 1993 (Rep. Jessica Benham-D) passed and was signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) as Act 77 of 2024. The bill includes significant commercial PBM reform provisions and an expansion of pharmacist immunization authority to include ACIP vaccines for children aged eight years and older and pharmacy technician immunization authority for COVID and Flu for ages 13 years and older. Many thanks to the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drugs Stores, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association and Value Drug Co. and all who put many hours of work into getting it across the finish line.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

HB 1993, a PBM reform bill has advanced in the Senate, signaling that there is agreement among the General Assembly and the Governor’s office to pass it prior to summer recess. This week, after intense lobbying by pharmacy, the Senate adopted an amendment to the bill that not only strengthened the PBM provisions from a previous version, but also expanded pharmacy vaccine authority for children, to better align with PREP Act. Specifically, it will allow pharmacists and interns to provide all ACIP-approved vaccines to children aged 8 years and older. It also will authorize Pharmacy Technicians with national certification and vaccine training to immunize children aged thirteen years and older for flu and Covid, effective upon passage; while non-certified technicians will be eligible once the proposed Technician Regulations are approved, and they have registered and received immunization training. NACDS and the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores have been working on both issues since the beginning of the Legislative Session in partnership with the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association and other stakeholders. The bill passed the full Senate and needs a concurrence vote in the House.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Last week, the House of Representatives’ Children and Youth Committee advanced HB 2037, which would expand pharmacy’s ability to immunize children. The bill would allow pharmacists to administer ACIP vaccines to kids aged 5 years and older and allow pharmacy technicians to immunize children aged 8 years and older for flu and COVID. NACDS has been actively engaged in advocacy on the bill. The bill is now eligible for a vote by the full Senate.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

HB 1993, a companion bill to SB 1000, a comprehensive commercial and Medicaid PBM reform bill has been introduced by Rep. Jessica Benhem (D). Both bills have strong bi-partisan co-sponsorship and support. NACDS continues to work collaboratively with the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores and the Pennsylvania Pharmacy Coalition and legislators to advance these bills.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) announced he will be issuing Guidance for Health Insurers to Improve Coverage for Over-the-Counter Contraception. Specifically, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) will issue guidance to insurers to provide coverage for over-the-counter contraception with or without a prescription. He further stated that PID will hold insurers accountable, requiring additional information from companies who chose not to cover OTC contraception.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.