Two companion bills that would allow pharmacists to test and treat under a statewide Board of Pharmacy protocol have advanced in their respective chambers. HB 2274 is poised for a vote on the House floor and SB 948 passed the Senate unanimously. The bills add the authority for pharmacists to test and treat for Flu, Strep, COVID and UTIs to the existing ten conditions/therapies that pharmacist can currently treat. However, opposition from the medical community to the UTI provision drove 10 negative votes in the House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee, with the bill just squeaking out of committee with 11 favorable votes. NACDS has been working closely with in-state partners and members to advance these practice advancements over the last several sessions and issued an RxImpact Alert this week encouraging outreach to House members prior to the upcoming floor vote. 

Also in Virginia, the Board of Pharmacy published a reminder that pharmacists must obtain at least two (2) hours of continuing education (CE) in 2023 on the following subjects related to opioids: medications for opioid use disorder (OUD), including methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, naloxone or any other drug indicated for OUD. The CE must be obtained between January 1 and December 31. Inquiries may be directed to pharmbd@dhp.virginia.gov 

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

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.