NACDS continues to work on priority issues. HB 2754, that would make the pharmacy immunization allowances from the federal PREP Act permanent in state law, passed the House and is now in the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee. HB 2723, now included in a Senate Rules package, SB 361, authorizes the Board of Pharmacy to promulgate a rule increasing the pharmacy technician ratio from 1:4 to 1:6. The same bill also includes a final rule modernizing collaborative practice agreements to allow for population–based care. Notably, the collaborative practice rule is currently effective as an emergency rule. NACDS is also tracking a bill that would provide legislative approval of the PBM rule pursuant to the passage of HB 2263 of 2021. That language is now engrossed in Committee Substitute SB 345 which has passed the Senate and been sent to the House Judiciary Committee.

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

NACDS continues to work on priority issues in West Virginia. HB 2754, that would make the pharmacy immunization allowances from the federal PREP Act permanent in state law, passed the House and is now in the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee. HB 2723, now included in a Senate Rules package, authorizes the Board of Pharmacy to promulgate a rule increasing the pharmacy technician ratio from 1:4 to 1:6. NACDS is also tracking a bill that would provide legislative approval of the PBM rule pursuant to the passage of HB 2263 of 2021. The language is now engrossed in Committee Substitute SB 345 which has passed the Senate and been sent to the House.

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

HB 2754, legislation that would codify pharmacy immunization authority to match that of the PREP Act has advanced. HB 2754 deletes the prescription requirement for children’s vaccines and allows pharmacy technicians to immunize. The bill received swift committee approval, overwhelmingly passed the House (90-5) and has been referred to the Senate Health and Human Resources.

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

On June 2, the Insurance Commission filed the Pharmacy Auditing Entities and Pharmacy Benefit Managers Rule with an effective date of July 1, 2022. This rule is pursuant to passage of HB (House Bill) 2263 of 2021. The new rule amends the current rule relating to Pharmacy Audits that was effective on April 1, 2021 and remains in effect. 

Also in West Virginia, The Insurance Commission has proposed a rule 114CSR99 to reflect changes to the WV Code because of the passage of Enrolled HB 4112 which was approved by Governor Justice on March 30, 2022. The rule will be considered by the Legislative Rule Making Review Committee during the 2022 legislative interims and put before the WV Legislature for approval in 2023. If you have comments, please email them to Jill McCormack before the close of business on June 23. Otherwise, you may email them to michael.n.malone@wv.gov of the Insurance Commission by 5pm on July 5, 2022. 

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

Governor Justice (R) has signed two bills aimed at the regulation of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). SB 312 provides legislative approval for Rules promulgated by the Insurance Commission to enact HB 2263 of 2021, landmark legislation that sets a reimbursement floor and provides a level playing field for community pharmacy. HB 4112 provides for pharmacy freedom of choice for specialty drugs, addresses 340B programs and will be effective for policies executed, amended or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2023.

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

The Insurance Commissioner has issued Pharmacy Freedom of Choice and Pharmacy Reimbursement Bulletins based on the passage of HB 2263 in 2021. Please note the Bulletins include information or members wanting to report potential violations to the Insurance Commissioner.

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

The Insurance Commissioner issued two Bulletins to underscore prohibited activities by PBMs because of the passage of HB 2263 of 2021. Specifically, the Bulletins address pharmacy Freedom of Choice and Pharmacy Reimbursement. The latter has an effective date of January 1, 2022.

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

The Legislative Rule Making Review Committee adopted the PBM rule as currently written without any debate. The rule, based on the passage of HB 2263 or 2021, must now receive final approval by the Legislature during the 2022 session.

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

The Legislative Rule Making Committee will be considering the PBM rule as approved by the agency on December 8. You can link to the agenda here. NACDS is currently analyzing the rule and will follow up with members operating in the state via email. In the meantime, please share any concerns you may have with the rule with Jill McCormack as soon as possible.

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