As a result of collaborative efforts by NACDS and the Washington State Pharmacy Association, Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission adopted for final passage the elimination of the current 3:1 pharmacy technician-to-pharmacist ratio with an effective date of this fall.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Gov. Jay Inslee (D) has signed into law Substitute SB 5380 (Chapter 314, 2019 Laws) – the Governor’s comprehensive opioid legislation – mandating e-prescribing of Schedule II through V controlled substances with exceptions effective January 1, 2021, increasing the frequency of reporting by dispensing to the state’s prescription monitoring program and expanding options for a pharmacist to dispense an opioid overdose reversal medication pursuant to a collaborative drug therapy agreement, standing order, or protocol in addition to a prescription. It also relieves the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission, formerly the Board of Pharmacy, from having to approve all electronic systems.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Second Substitute HB 1331, Gov. Jay Inslee’s (D) opioid legislation, is headed for the House floor with amendments mandating e-prescribing of controlled substance prescriptions by Friday, January 1, 2021. The bill still has to pass the Senate.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Although SB 5446, the stand-alone e-prescribing bill did not make it through the first cut-off and will not advance, NACDS and partners will continue to work to add e-prescribing amendments onto HB 1331 / SB 5380, companion bills related to opioid use disorder treatment, prevention and related services.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
NACDS attended the last of three workshops, hosted by the State Department of Health, addressing the proposed rules to implement recently enacted drug disposal legislation. NACDS requested clarifying language that would provide a process for pharmacies who are denied participation in the drug disposal program to seek an appeal.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
On September 10, CMS issued a letter to the Health Care Authority stating the agency is “unable to approve Washington SPA 17-0002 as submitted because it does not comply with section 1902(a)(30)(A) of the Social Security Act (the Act), and the applicable federal regulations.”
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) held an emergency meeting to discuss the Medical Quality Assurance Commission’s (MQAC) request seeking a formal Attorney General’s Opinion regarding the use of the term “diagnosis” in a Collaborative Drug Therapy Agreement. Pharmacists, practitioners, or patients currently utilizing a Collaborative Drug Therapy Agreement may also wish to submit comment. Note that you must notify the Attorney General by Friday, July 13that you intend to provide comment. The Attorney General’s Office will then provide information on how and when the comments should be submitted. If you would like, the PQAC would appreciate a copy of the comments you submit to the Attorney General. These can be copied to the PQAC email address.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Engrossed Substitute—ESHB 1047—has been signed by Gov. Jay Inslee (D), creating a statewide, voluntary, drug take-back program, funded by manufacturers. The newly enacted legislation also includes local pre-emption and sunsets in 2029.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Engrossed Substitute – ESHB 1047 unanimously passed the Senate. Although it will have to go back to the House of Representatives for concurrence on a technical amendment made in the Senate, it is anticipated the bill will be signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee (D), creating a statewide, voluntary, drug take-back program, funded by manufacturers. The bill includes local pre-emption and sunsets in 2029, if not reconfirmed by the state legislature.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.