Gov. Greg Abbott (R) convened a 30-day special session of the Legislature on July 8 to address unfinished business, including election integrity, bail reform and several other issues.
Also in Texas, in advance of the August 3 quarterly board meeting, the Board of Pharmacy is seeking comments by July 27 on several proposed rules:
- Proposed rule updating the internship hours requirement to reflect the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education requirement.
- Proposed rule increasing the pharmacist initial license fee from $332 to $360 and the biennial renewal fee from $329 to $357.
- Proposed rule increasing the pharmacy technician initial registration fee from $83 to $84 and the biennial renewal fee from $80 to $81.
- Proposed rule increasing the pharmacy initial license fee from $507 to $538 and the biennial renewal fee from $504 to $535.
- Proposed rule allowing Class A or Class C pharmacies to provide remote pharmacy services using an automated disposing and delivery system.
Also in Texas, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is encouraging vaccine providers to participate in weekly webinars on Tuesdays from Noon-1:30 PM Central time. Preregister for the upcoming July 13 webinar here. Highlights from past webinars are available online COVID-19 Vaccine Providers Webinars page.
Finally in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) maintains a Specialty Drug List (SDL) for Medicaid Managed Care (MCO). Currently, HHSC reviews and adjusts the drug list quarterly. VDP is proposing changing the SDL publication schedule from quarterly to twice a year, giving MCOs more time to finalize contracts with pharmacies in their specialty networks. VDP is soliciting comments on this draft policy change by July 19 at 5:00 p.m. to the VDP Operations.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.