On the last day of the 2021-22 session, a PBM transparency bill backed by NACDS and PACDS (Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores), passed the Senate unanimously and is on its way to Gov. Tom Wolf (D) for signature. HB 1630 allows the Auditor General access to PBM data in the Medicaid Managed Care Program to perform audits. Notably, the bill was amended in the Senate Health Committee to repeal the provision in Section 1121.53(c) of 55 Pa. Code that limits payment for prescriptions in Medical Assistance to a 34-day supply or 100 units.

Also in Pennsylvania, the Department of Human Services released the final regulation for IRRC No. 3308 – Interrelationship of Providers (14-549) allowing providers to co-locate. Providers who received a waiver of the previous regulation will still be operating under that waiver until the final form regulation takes effect. The regulation will be considered at the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) meeting on December 8 and comments are accepted until 48 hours prior to the meeting.

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

Sen. Ryan Aument’s (R) bill allowing the Auditor General to conduct a full-scale audit of subcontracts with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Medicaid Managed Care unanimously passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee this week and is expected to be considered by the full Senate next week.

Also in Pennsylvania, the Office of Medical Assistance Programs has issued a new bulletin regarding billing and payment for the Moderna SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Booster. This bulletin as well as past bulletins can be found on DHS’ Bulletin search page.

Finally in Pennsylvania, the Board of Pharmacy has posted the agenda for the November 1 meeting.

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

Gov. Tom Wolf (D) issued a news release this week announcing that the Naloxone Standing Order has been expanded to include the 2 Dose Formulation and encouraging patients to bring a copy of the standing order to pharmacies to request the drug. NACDS reminds members that the PA Naloxone Copay Assistance Program will reimburse pharmacies up to $75 for patient copays when the patient is hesitant to pick up the prescription due to cost. For practical operational reasons, the claim must be adjudicated on the current PACE Program system. However, a claim for ANY insured patient regardless of what type of insurance they have – commercial or public – qualifies. There are no criteria to proving financial hardship on the pharmacy because access is the point of the program.

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

Due to recent technical issues with the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) website, the Board of Pharmacy announced that the renewal period for Pharmacist Licenses and Authorizations to Administer Injectables for Pharmacists, has been extended to October 31, 2022. The renewal extension does apply to CE (Continuing Education) credits. However, if licensees earn CE between October 1- 31, 2022, to use for the 2022 license renewal, they cannot count those same CE credits toward the 2024 license renewal. Updates will be posted to the Board website. For general details on license renewal go to PALS. 

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

Legislation that would allow the state Auditor General to have access to PBM’s data from the Medicaid Managed Care program passed the House unanimously this week. House Bill 1630, sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R), now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Also in Pennsylvania, the Board of Pharmacy has posted the agenda for their September 27th meeting. 

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

The Wolf Administration issued a press release announcing they have amended the Physician General’s Naloxone Standing Order to include ZIMHI. The announcement encouraged state residents to print the standing order and bring it to pharmacies to request the prescription. NACDS reminds members that PA has a program to reimburse pharmacies for Naloxone copays when the customer is reluctant to fill a script due to the copay cost. This federally funded program runs on the current PACE adjudication platform but is open to any Pennsylvanian regardless of whether they have state or private/commercial insurance.

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

Gov. Wolf (D) has signed HB 2679 as Act 80 of 2022. The law, which was effective upon signing, allows pharmacists and pharmacy interns to administer COVID and flu vaccines to children down to the age of 5. The bill also makes a few COVID pharmacy waivers permanent related to pharmacist supervision of other vaccinators.

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

Legislation that would allow pharmacists and pharmacy interns to administer COVID and flu vaccines to children down to the age of 5 advanced in both Chambers this week. HB (House Bill) 2679 was reported from the House Professional Licensure Committee and is poised for a vote by the full House next week. The Senate Professional Licensure Committee also amended SB (Senate Bill) 511 to match the language in HB 2679 and unanimously reported it to the full Senate for consideration. The intent is to deliver one of these bills to the Governor’s desk before adjournment for summer recess. However, if the General Assembly adjourns early, we are optimistic that the process can be completed in the fall, prior to sine die.

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

The House Professional Licensure Committee will consider HB 2679 on June 20. The bill, introduced by the Majority and Minority Chairs of the Committee, represents a compromise agreement that would expand pharmacists’ immunization authority by allowing the administration of influenza and COVID vaccines down to age 5. Currently, pharmacists can only vaccinate children for flu starting at the age of 9.  

Also in Pennsylvania, the Board of Pharmacy has posted the agenda for the June 28 meeting. Members can access the meeting virtually and log-in instructions are included in the agenda. 

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