NACDS reminds members that Medicaid has recently expanded its list of maintenance medications eligible to be filled with a 90-day supply. Medicaid-covered patients are eligible for the long fills after receiving two 34-day or shorter fills of drugs on the list. 

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

DMAS (Department of Medical Assistance Services) has issued a memo informing pharmacy providers that DMAS fee-for-service (FFS) and the Medicaid Managed Care Organizations will provide up to five professional dispense fees per month (defined as a rolling 30-day period) for buprenorphine-based opioid use disorder (OUD) products, effective December 1, 2022.

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

The COVID-19 Standing Order has been updated to include the most recently authorized bivalent boosters

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

The Board of Pharmacy has posted the draft minutes from the September 6 meeting. Note that they approved emergency regulations to comply with treatment provisions passed into law in 2022 under HB (House Bill) 1323 that allows pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation medications. Specifically, they approved the changes to apply to all current statewide protocols reflecting new requirements under HB 1323 and added tobacco cessation treatment to the permitted protocols. Additionally, the board proposed amendments to its workforce regulations pursuant to HB 1324. 

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

The Department of Health has issued an updated standing order for COVID vaccines reflecting current CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommendations.

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

The Department of Health (VDH) has updated the COVID-19 Vaccine Standing Order to reflect the recent EUA (Emergency Use Authorization) of Novavax. For pharmacies enrolled in VaxMax, Novavax will become available for ordering beginning August 4th. You can view the COVID-19 Vaccine Standing Order on the VDH website. The Summary of Authorities for Pharmacists to Administer COVID Vaccines has also been updated.

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

The Department of Health (VDH) has posted an updated COVID-19 Vaccine Standing Order to include COVID vaccines for children aged 5 and younger. You can also view the Summary of Legal Authorities for Pharmacists to Administer COVID Vaccines on their COVID-19 vaccine webpage for health professionals. 

Also in Virginia. The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) will hold the Pharmacy Liaison Committee Meeting on July 14 in Richmond. The agenda has been posted. If members have any questions or comments regarding the topics on the agenda, please send them to Jill McCormack by July 12. 

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

On May 27, Gov. Youngkin (R) signed HB 1323 and SB 672, identical bills that mirror pharmacies immunization and testing authority from the federal PREP (Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness) Act. The bills, sponsored by Delegate Bobby Orrock (R) and Senator Siobhan Dunnavant (R), were priorities of VACDS (Virginia Association of Chain Drug Stores) and NACDS. Specifically, the bill allows pharmacist and technicians to administer the full  Centers for Disease Control (CDC) vaccine schedule to patients 3 years of age and older; clarifies that pharmacists can order and administer COVID tests; allows pharmacists to initiate tobacco cessation therapies including prescription drugs under protocol; and requires Medicaid to reimburse pharmacies for the initiation of treatment and vaccines. 

Also in Virginia, The Department of Health has updated the COVID-19 Vaccine Standing Order to reflect CDC/ACIP recommendations from May. 

Finally in Virginia, The Board of Pharmacy has posted the agenda for the June 6th Public Hearing and Full Board Meeting. 

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

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) amended companion bills HB 1323 and SB 672 to add language in that was removed during the legislative process allowing pharmacists to test and treat for flu, strep and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Our original language that codifies pharmacies’ immunization and testing authority allowances under the PREP Act remains intact. The bill also allows pharmacists to initiate tobacco cessation therapy, including prescription drugs. These bills will now have to go before the Legislature on April 27 to approve or reject the governor’s recommendation on the amended language. NACDS applauds the Virginia Association of Chain Drug Stores (VACDS) and the Virginia Retail Federation (VRF) for all the groundwork on this bill and to members for your outreach to the Governor’s office.

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