The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) held an initial virtual meeting with pharmacy associations to discuss the upcoming pharmacy cost-of-dispensing survey (slide deck). The survey instrument has not been finalized; however, Myers & Stauffer intends to send it to pharmacies on September 12. Additional informational webinars for all pharmacy stakeholders are tentatively scheduled for September 24 and September 26.

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

State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton, MD, distributed a clinician letter to practitioners across the Commonwealth with updates on the national shortage of penicillin G benzathine (Bicillin L–A®) and the ongoing syphilis statewide outbreak trends and clinical manifestations in the state.

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

The Board of Pharmacy issued the following communication to licensees:

“In response to House Bill 2147, passed during the 2023 General Assembly Session, the Board of Pharmacy is reminding pharmacy personnel that federal laws require minimum standards in certain situations regarding patient translation services for prescription drugs. Specifically, pharmacy personnel are encouraged to review and consult with their management regarding the pharmacy’s compliance with the following federal laws: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d) regarding discrimination based on race, color, or national origin by any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. § 794) regarding discrimination based on a disability from any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance; and Title III of the American with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 12181 to 12189; 28 C.F.R. Pt. 36) regarding discrimination at a place of public accommodation which includes a pharmacy. Please note the Board is unable to provide legal advice on this matter. However, additional information may be found in the Board of Pharmacy Report Regarding the Provision of Translated Directions for Use of Prescriptions submitted to the Virginia General Assembly on December 7, 2023.Please also be aware that the Board will adopt regulations and guidance by December 31, 2024, for accessible prescription labels to assist the blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled as required by House Bill 516, passed during the 2024 General Assembly Session.”

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

The Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for its June 25 meeting. Please note they intend to discuss the emergency regulations for central fill/remote processing, the final regulations updating the 2022 test and treat law and current pharmacy workforce conditions in preparation for a new workforce survey.

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

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) vetoed companion bills (HB 570 / SB 274) that would have created a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) in the state. This move comes as three other states actively conduct affordability reviews of prescription drugs nationwide. NACDS will be monitoring the final outcome of the bill when the Legislature returns later this spring for its veto session. NACDS joined other organizations in expressing opposition to the bill to Gov. Youngkin.

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

Karen Shelton, MD, Virginia State Health Commissioner, distributed a clinician letter this week updating practitioners on several issues including: 

• Increase in Mpox Cases in Virginia 
• Stay Alert for Measles 
• Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention 

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

Pursuant to passage SB 1538 of 2023, DMAS (Department of Medical Assistance Services) is building and implementing a pharmacy payment for services claims they have dubbed “PAP” (Pharmacists as Providers) system. Tomorrow they will publish a new Supplement to the Pharmacy and Practitioner Manuals adding billing instructions for the new system. Please review the Supplement and share your comments with Jill McCormack as soon as possible. Comments are due to DMAS on November 30.  

DMAS is hosting a Pharmacists as Providers (PAP) educational session for interested parties (in-person and virtually) on November 30 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at 600 E. Broad Street in Richmond. To attend virtually, register here. here. 

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

The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) has invited pharmacy stakeholders to participate in a webinar on October 30 regarding the upcoming implementation of a system to reimburse pharmacies for clinical services as mandated by the passage of HB (House Bill) 1538 of 2023. DMAS also released the presentation from the previous workgroup meeting. DMAS intends to reimburse pharmacies for all the services added to pharmacy scope of practice over the last several legislative sessions, including immunizations and test & treat. DMAS is specifically interested in guidance from pharmacies as they build the claims system. NACDS suggests that members share the invite with staff with expertise in this area.  

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

The Board of Pharmacy issued the following notice reminding pharmacy that the emergency rules on Workplace Conditions were effective September 29:

The Virginia Board of Pharmacy emergency regulations regarding pharmacy working conditions became effective today, September 29, 2023. All are strongly encouraged to read these important regulations addressing work environment requirements for pharmacy personnel that protect the health, safety, and welfare of patients. The regulations were adopted pursuant to HB 1324 introduced by Delegate Keith Hodges and passed by the 2022 General Assembly. The emergency regulations remain in effect until March 28, 2025. A public comment period will open on October 23, 2023, and remain open through November 22, 2023. Additional information regarding the status of the emergency regulations and public comment period may be found on Virginia Regulatory Town Hall. The Staffing Requests or Concerns Form referenced in the regulations will remain accessible on the Board’s website under Forms and Applications. Please review the requirements related to use of the form in the emergency regulations and listed at the top of the form.

Also in Virginia, the Department of Medicaid Services (DMAS) recently held a stakeholder call to discuss the implementation of SB 1538 of 2023, which requires pharmacy reimbursement for services. They are currently working on system changes to allow billing for the existing pharmacy testing and/or treatment protocols and our understanding is that they intend to further expand it to cover the protocols for flu, strep, COVID and UTI that were included in SB 948 of 2023 upon final approval of the rule. For more details, see the Enrolling Pharmacists as Providers slide deck.

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