The House Public Health Committee held hearings on two bills supported by NACDS members: HB 678 by Rep. Phil Cortez (D) that amends existing laws making permanent pharmacists’ authority to initiate, order, and administer childhood vaccines to anyone 3 and older without a prescription, and HB 2049 by Rep. Donna Howard (D) that would allow pharmacists to test and treat for flu and strep. NACDS members are encouraged to call the House Public Health Committee members to urge them to vote both bills out of the Committee so they can be set for a vote by the House of Representatives.

Photo Caption – (L-R) NACDS chain pharmacists Casey Nichols with Walgreens, Jeff Loesch with Kroger Health, and Aimee Lusson with Walgreens meet with immunization bill sponsor Rep. Phil Cortez in the Texas State Capitol after the House Public Health Committee hearing.

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission is hosting two vaccine webinars:

• Actively Administering & Advanced VAOS Users – For COVID-19 vaccine coordinators and providers who have received allocations of the COVID-19 vaccine and are actively administering the vaccines. Discussions will focus on important news updates, clinical considerations, and advanced user tips on the systems and processes to support you.
  • April 20, 12:00PM-1:30PM CT – Register here
  • April 27, 12:00PM-1:30PM CT – Register here
• Basics & Beginners -For providers who are new to the COVID-19 vaccine management program and/or have not yet received allocations of the vaccine. Discussions will focus on important news updates, the enrollment process, how to access VAOS, and how to get started with requesting allocations.
  • April 22, 12:00PM-1:30PM CT – Register here

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

NACDS is asking members to call Chari Stephanie Klick and members of the House Public Health Committee asking for a hearing as soon as possible for TX HB 678 by Rep. Phil Cortez. Our message is that “there is an urgent need to permanently remove the administrative barriers allowing pharmacists to independently order and administer all immunizations to anyone 3 years of age or older without a prescription. Passing HB 678 will guarantee Texans get much better access to convenient, preventive health care.”

Also in Texas, as the state opens COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to everyone age 16 and older, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) launched the Texas Public Health Vaccine Scheduler, giving people one place to sign up for a COVID-19 shot through multiple public health departments, including the eight DSHS public health regions, which provide public health services in nearly 200 Texas counties, and more than a dozen local health entities across the state.

Also in Texas, beginning April 1^st, Health and Human Services (HHSC) set the fee-for-service (FFS) reimbursement rates for COVID vaccines to align with Medicare. The FFS administration reimbursement rate is now $40 for each dose.

Lastly in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy is requesting comments by May 4^th on several proposed rules:

• Proposed rule amending regulations allowing pharmacists to electronically sign the data entry attestation statement. The rule also would update references to the DEA 222 order form requirements for distributing Schedule II controlled substances.
• Proposed rule extending the period that Schedule II prescriptions are valid to 30 days to conform to federal standards. The rule also would remove a reference to the effective date of the pharmacy responsibility provisions.
• Proposed rule correcting statutory and regulatory cross-references in the requirements on pharmacy operation.

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

NACDS is asking members to call Rep. Stephanie Klick’s office, the Chair of the House Public Health Committee, urging her to schedule a hearing as soon as possible for TX HB 678 by Rep. Phil Cortez (D). Our message is that “there is an urgent need to permanently remove the administrative barriers allowing pharmacists to independently order and administer all immunizations to anyone 3 years of age or older without a prescription. Passing HB 678 will guarantee Texans get much better access to convenient, preventive health care.” Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0599; District Phone: (817) 281-0079 & Public Health Committee Phone: (512) 463-0806

Also in Texas, As the state opens COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to everyone age 16 and older, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) launched the Texas Public Health Vaccine Scheduler, giving people one place to sign up for a COVID-19 shot through multiple public health departments, including the eight DSHS public health regions, which provide public health services in nearly 200 Texas counties, and more than a dozen local health entities across the state.

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

The Board of Pharmacy issued two final rules that went into effect on March 14. One final rule amends the notification requirements for pharmacists who sign prescription orders for dangerous drugs under a written protocol, and another final rule clarifies that the requirement to consult the Prescription Monitoring Program before dispensing opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or carisoprodol is limited to outpatient prescriptions.

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