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 […]
Illinois to Pay Nearly $5 Million to Independent Pharmacies
The state of Illinois is sending $4.7 million to more than 70 independent pharmacies caught in the “financial squeeze of inadequate reimbursements” from filling Medicaid prescriptions. This money, a part of the $10 million Critical Access Pharmacy Program, is intended to assist small, independent pharmacies, located mostly in downstate Illinois, facing financial issues related to […]
Oregon Governor Signs PBM Regulation Bill
Earlier this week, Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed Oregon HB 2185, relating to pharmacy benefit managers, into law. The bill, supported by the Oregon State Pharmacy Association (OSPA), establishes some basic fair practices: Allows patients the option to use a local pharmacy instead of mandating use of a mail order pharmacy; Allows local Oregon pharmacies […]