Last Friday, 47 state pharmacy associations and NASPA joined several national associations and state health-system pharmacy societies in submitting comments regarding the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ request for input on Executive Order #13890, “Protecting and Improving Medicare for our Nation’s Seniors.” The signing organizations requested CMS include the following changes in agency regulations, […]
National and State Associations Submit Joint Comment Letter on Safe Harbors
In late December, thirty-nine state associations and NASPA joined the American Pharmacists Association on a joint comment letter to the Office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services related to proposed revisions to safe harbors under the anti-kickback statute. The comments emphasized the importance of pharmacists and their role […]
Florida Pharmacists Could Get Power to Treat Flu and Strep
A new bill in Florida could authorize pharmacists to test and treat patients for flu and strep throat. HB 389, approved by a House panel this week, aims to increase patient access to care and allow pharmacists to perform rapid diagnostic tests for both flu and strep. “The important thing is that it gives the […]
Working with Wisconsin Pharmacists to Combat the Opioid Epidemic
Allied Against Opioid Abuse spoke with the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin recently to discuss how the organization is collaborating with pharmacists and partners statewide to improve patient care through the naloxone statewide standing order and academic detailing. In the interview, PSW staff remarked “Pharmacists are a patient’s most accessible healthcare professional and are able to […]
California Pharmacists Can Now Furnish HIV Medications
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB159 into law this week, allowing California pharmacists to furnish HIV-prevention medications without a physician’s prescription. This new legislation allows pharmacists to dispense 30 to 60 days of PrEP or a full course of PEP to patients if they receive counseling on the drug’s effects and an HIV test. This […]
Illinois Governor Signs PBM Legislation
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation this week creating a regulatory framework for pharmacy benefit managers in the state. HB 465 goes into effect January 1, 2020, and hopes to protect patients and increase access by: Requiring insurers to apply third-party payments, discounts, vouchers and co-pay cards to a deductible, the co-pay, or out-of-pocket maximum […]