North Carolina Association of Pharmacists 2021, Issue 10 of 12 ncpharmacists.org
E-News
Advancing Pharmacy. Improving Health.
General News Medicaid Direct Adds Pharmacy Claim For LAI Administration Immunizing pharmacists who have completed long-acting injectable training can now legally administer any long-acting injectable medication pursuant to a prescription. This new authority became effective October 1, 2021. As of this month, NC Tracks added the ability for pharmacies to bill for an administration fee of $17.36 per claim by submitting a Level of Service equal to 05 (Patient Consultation). When an administration fee is requested on a pharmacy claim, the billing provider will be notified of the outcome of the request via Point of Sale. IMPORTANT: This process is for Medicaid Direct claims ONLY. For the managed care Medicaid plans, pharmacists should contact the plan directly to ask about claim filing instructions for LAI administration. Read more on long-acting injectable medications in the NC Medicaid Bulletin. FDA Temporarily Suspends Certain Clozapine REMS Requirements Clozapine REMS Program, launched on November 15, 2021, has been temporarily suspended, by the FDA, due to operational difficulties. The FDA took this action in order to ensure that patients, in need of treatment, have access to clozapine. Pharmacists and prescribers are
encouraged to continue working with the Clozapine REMS to complete certification and patient enrollment; however, while temporary suspension is in place, pharmacists may dispense clozapine without a REMS dispense authorization; and wholesalers may continue to ship clozapine to pharmacies and health care settings without confirming enrollment in the REMS. US DHHS Issues Interim Rule on Prescription Drug Pricing On November 17th, the US DHHS released an interim final rule and a request for comments. The rule implements new requirements for health plans to submit certain information about prescription drug and health care spending. Starting in 2023, DHHS will issue biennial public reports to assist with transparency on prescription drug pricing trends, the impact on overall healthcare spending, and the cost of health coverage. Read more here. The comment period is open until 5pm January 24, 2022. Keeping Up With COVID-19 Vaccine & Booster Information During November there has been further expansion, updates and recommendations regarding COVID boosters in adults. On November 19th, NC DHHS put out a press release in response to the FDA and CDC announcements. NCAP wanted to take this opportunity to remind our members that NC DHHS provides a COVID vaccine provider webpage that contains guidance, a provider
NCAP E-News
Isssue 10-12
toolkit, billing, and other reference materials. Eighth Circuit Court Upholds State’s Right To Regulate PBMs Earlier this month the Eighth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in support of North Dakota’s right to regulate PBMs. The case, Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) v. Wehbi, is the first to consider, at the federal appellate level, the scope of the U.S. Supreme Court’s unanimous decision last year in Rutledge v. PCMA. This is a tremendous win for state rights and for pharmacy; and the ruling has implications beyond North Dakota, as most states, including North Carolina, are continuously working on PBM reform. NCAP Member Named to 50 Most Influential Leaders Pharmacy entrepreneur, NCAP member, and our state’s 2021 Bowl of Hygeia recipient, Amina Abubakar, CEO of Avant Pharmacy & Wellness Center in Charlotte, was named to Pharmacy Podcast Network’s 50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy. Check out the list here. Congratulations Amina!
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