The legislature convened on January 8. Lawmakers will need to agree to a supplemental budget.
Also in Washington, legislation to expand pharmacists’ prescriptive authority was filed in both chambers. HB 2116 by Reps. My-LinhThai (D) and Vandana Slatter (D) was referred to the Health and Wellness Committee, and SB 6019 by Sen. Ron Muzzall (R) was referred to the Senate Health Long-Term Care Committee.
Also in Washington, SB 5213 by Sen. Patty Kurderer (D), pharmacy’s PBM reform bill, was carried over from the 2023 session.
Also in Washington, in compliance with the Settlement Agreement in the case of National Association of Chain Drug Stores, et al., v. Health Care Authority (Washington State Court of Appeals No. 51489-3-II), the Health Care Authority (HCA) updated the professional dispensing fees for pharmacies and began issuing adjusted dispensing fee payments December 29, 2023. For more information regarding the updated professional dispensing fees for pharmacies and adjusted dispensing fee payments, the HCA provided a FAQ. Questions can be emailed to applehealthpharmacypolicy@hca.wa.gov.
Also in Washington, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) filed for Emergency Rulemaking to codify in rule the FDA’s approval of certain naloxone hydrochloride nasal sprays as over the counter. The rule was effective immediately and will remain in effect for 120 days but will be refiled as needed while permanent rulemaking is in progress.
Also in Washington, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) adopted rules on Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Remote Dispensing Sites implementing SSB 6086 (Chapter 244, Laws of 2020) allowing a pharmacy to extend its pharmacy license to a remote dispensing site where technology is used to dispense medications used for the treatment of OUD or its symptoms, effective January 18.
Also in Washington, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) issued an FAQ in response to questions regarding health care entities (HCEs) and the 72-hour dispensing limitation.
Finally in Washington, the five-member Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) that was enacted to reduce Rx costs to consumers issued its 2023 Annual Report.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.