Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued an Executive Order this week banning COVID-19 vaccine mandates for employees or customers. Any entity that fails to comply could receive up to a $1,000 fine. This state order conflicts with President Biden’s (D) order mandating that companies with federal contracts must have all employees vaccinated.
Also in Texas, to assist with planning for the distribution of the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine pending the authorization by the Food and Drug Administration and the recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 years of age, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is asking chain pharmacies to complete one survey with an estimate for all stores by 5 PM on Wednesday, October 20th. DSHS Survey
Also in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy will hold its quarterly meeting in-person in Austin on Tuesday, November 2. TX BOP Meeting On the agenda for possible final adoption are onerous proposed rules impacting pharmacies that compound non-sterile preparations. Written comments must be submitted to the board on or before October 25th.
Also in Texas, NACDS submitted several recommendations to the Board of Pharmacy to assist with the development of their 5-year strategic plan, including updating laws and regulations to permanently codify the scope of practice expansion under the PREP Act for all pharmacy personnel, and to further modernize the practice of pharmacy to allow for practices now permitted in other states.
Finally in Texas, on October 1st, NACDS and other Texas pharmacy organizations met with Health and Human Services Commission’s representatives from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Vendor Drug Program (VDP-Medicaid) to discuss considerations for a pilot program to address barriers that have inhibited broad pharmacy participation in the Texas Vaccines for Children Program.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.