Medicaid will publish the semi-annual update of the Medicaid preferred drug list on Thursday, July 25.

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

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed into law HB 2174, legislation to address opioid abuse and addiction, while providing key safeguards to address the needs of those suffering from chronic pain. By Friday, January 1, 2021, all controlled substances will have to be electronically prescribed. Also, the new law will limit the supply of a patient’s first opioid prescription to 10 days when that prescription is for temporary or acute pain.

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

The Health and Human Services Commission is seeking applicants to serve on the Medicaid Managed Care Advisory Committee. If interested, review the application letter to find out if you qualify. Complete the Application for Membership to apply to be on the committee. For more information about the committee, visit the website or contact Sarah Melecki.

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

The legislature adjourned its biennial session on May 27. Prior to adjournment, the following bills of interest to chain pharmacies were sent to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to sign into law. The governor has until Sunday, June 16 to decide whether to sign or veto a bill, or let it become law without his signature. Unless otherwise specified, the effective date is Sunday, September 1.

• HB 3284, legislation providing a six-month extension to the September 1, 2019 effective date passed last session that requires both prescribers and dispensers check the PMP for certain controlled substances on or after Sunday, March 1, 2020. The bill also requires veterinarians check the PMP, establishes an advisory committee and compels law enforcement to obtain a subpoena, warrant or other court order to access the PMP.
• HB 3496, legislation NACDS successfully amended excluding non-publicly traded grocery store pharmacies from certain requirements to disclose certain financial information of pharmacy ownership.
• HB 2088, legislation NACDS successfully amended that requires pharmacies, when dispensing Schedule IIs, to provide written notice on how to properly dispose of medications with certain exemptions.
• SB 1056, legislation clarifying that a physician may delegate to a pharmacist the ability to modify the patient’s drug therapy under a physician protocol.

Also in Texas… Other bills of interest to chain pharmacies that have been signed by Gov. Abbott recently include the following:

• HB 3441, legislation ensuring payment parity for pharmacists providing the same service as other providers.
• HB 1757, legislation recognizing pharmacists as providers in the Insurance Code.

Also in Texas… With hurricane season in effect, the Health and Human Services Commission has prepared resources to keep Texans healthy and safe in the event of a natural disaster.

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

HB 2174 has been sent to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) for signature. The legislation requires e-prescribing for Schedule II-V controlled substances prescriptions effective January 1, 2021, with exceptions consistent with NACDS’ model legislation. Additionally, for the treatment of acute pain, a practitioner may not issue a prescription for an opioid in an amount that exceeds a 10-day supply or provide for a refill of an opioid.

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

At the May 7 Board of Pharmacy meeting, the Board adopted Option 3, higher fees for both pharmacists and pharmacies to help pay for the integration of the prescription monitoring program. The proposed rule will be finalized at the next Board meeting in August.

Also in Texas… The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced that later this year HHSC will expand the Medicaid and CHIP benefit to allow pharmacists “to administer certain medications in a pharmacy setting and includes the administration of certain long-acting anti-psychotics, Vivitrol, and flu vaccines. These products will be added to the Medicaid and CHIP formularies. Pharmacies must be reimbursed for the ingredient cost, dispensing fee, and applicable administration fees for each claim processed.” The Vendor Drug Program will publish additional information in the coming weeks.

Also in Texas… HB 4285, legislation pharmacies supported that would have allowed pharmacists to furnish medication under a physician protocol to anyone 18 years of age and older after 5:00 p.m. weekdays and on weekends, if the results of a CLIA-waived test for influenza are positive, was heard in the House Public Health Committee on May 1.

Also in Texas… HB 3496, legislation that requires a sworn disclosure statement for pharmacies that NACDS successfully amended on behalf of chain pharmacies that are not publicly traded companies, passed the House on May 8.

Also in Texas… The House passed HB 2536, a drug transparency bill requiring certain drug cost information to be provided by drug manufacturers, PBMs and health plans to the Health and Human Services Commission and the Department of Insurance which will be posted on a state website. (HB2536) .

Also in Texas… HB 3441/HB 1757, two bills promoted by pharmacies ensuring payment parity for pharmacies and recognizing pharmacists as practitioners in the Insurance code passed both chambers and will be sent to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to sign into law.

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