The Governor’s Opioid Command Center in conjunction with the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs have announced their intent to implement the Naloxone Copay Assistance Program on Oct. 1, 2021. Any PACE provider may submit claims to the new Naloxone Copay Assistance Program for up to $75 per claim for any Commonwealth resident (does not have to be a PACE beneficiary) through the existing PACE adjudication system. Additional program details will be provided in the next 2 weeks. The program is a result of a partnership between the state and NACDS and Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores (PACDS). We are currently working with members and the PACE program to develop the patient criteria and operationalize the program. 

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

The House Professional Licensure Committee will hold an informational meeting on Monday, September 20, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. to discuss the pharmacy-related regulatory waivers and suspensions issued by the Department of State during the COVID-19 pandemic and brief the members of the committee. NACDS plans to testify in favor of making the PREP Act permanent in state statute in coordination with the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores (PACDS), the Pennsylvania Pharmacy Association (PPA) and other partners. 

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

The Department of Health issued a press release and FAQ to provide guidance to vaccinators regarding administering an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to immunocompromised individuals.  

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

The Department of State (DOS) has issued a memo detailing the expiration dates of the professional waivers granted during the state of emergency that will expire on or before the Sept. 30 expiration of the state of emergency.  Beginning August 17, the DOS will rescind waivers in several phases, starting with the waivers that have already served their purpose in pandemic response but have not been formally rescinded. Members can find a list of all the waivers and their expiration dates on the DOS website, which can also be searched by profession. NACDS is currently engaged with in-state partners, the Administration and General Assembly in recommending that critical pharmacy waivers be made permanent. 

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

The PACE program issued a Bulletin announcing it will reinstate the early refill edit that was temporarily lifted due to COVID-19 concerns. Additionally, the edit allowing a temporary override for quantities greater than 100 and a day’s supply greater than 30 will be removed when PACE is the primary payer. Both will be effective August 2. Questions may be directed to Provider Services at 1-800-835-4080.

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

Last week, the General Assembly voted to terminate the Governor’s disaster declaration. Both chambers then subsequently passed legislation, which Governor Wolf (D) signed, that extends all statutory and regulatory waivers until September 30, 2021. We anticipate further legislative action in the fall related to the continuation of some waivers and flexibilities beyond September 30 and will continue to update members on those efforts.

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

Gov. Wolf issued a revised waiver clarifying that pharmacists may administer the COVID vaccine to patients 12 years of age and above. As in previous versions of this waiver, it does not mention pharmacy technicians but does recognize the PREP act pre-emption.

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

NACDS reminds members that on March 29 the new Acting Physician General Denise Johnson signed a new standing order for naloxone. All prescriptions using the standing order from former Secretary of Health Levine or former Acting Physician General Braund, and any remaining refills on those prescriptions are null and void.

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

Senator Judy Ward, RN, (R) has introduced SB 511. The bill is a joint NACDS/PACDS initiative that would update the state’s Pharmacy Practice Act to allow trained pharmacists, interns, and technicians to immunize the full CDC schedule to a person aged 3 and above.

Also in Pennsylvania, the Department of Human Services published a bulletin announcing that the COVID vaccine reimbursement rate was increased to match the revised Medicare rate of $40 per dose, effective March 15.

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