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!
Practice Advancement News Harm Reduction Series Now Available On-Demand
Page 1
If you missed out on the Live, 3-part Harm Reduction Series NCAP hosted back in October, don’t miss your chance to view these recorded sessions on-demand in our NCAP On-Demand Library. Learn more about the tools available to assist pharmacists in mitigating risks in patients taking opioids. Understand the changes in waiver training for practitioners in prescribing medications to treat opioid use disorder and the challenges pharmacists face with wholesaler acquisition of these medications. Familiarize yourself with the value and services offered through syringe services programs (SSP’s) here in NC and, more importantly, the innovative ways pharmacists can interact with an SSP in linking patients to Opioid Prevention and Treatment Services. Do all of this from the convenience of your own home at a price unmatched, three hours of continuing education for only $25. Click here to register and take advantage of this amazing offer. NCAP’s Long-Acting Injectable (LAI) Training THRIVES Post HB 96 Implementation Thank you to all who have completed NCAP’s LAI training. With more than 100 plus enrollees in the last 42 days since its release, we have had an overwhelming response to the training in its ability to prepare pharmacists to implement and deliver LAI administration services in their practice. This landmark legislation presents an opportunity for all pharmacists to showcase our profession’s value to NC citizens through training and service provision. If you’ve exercised your authority and notified the NC Board of Pharmacy of your training completion, we sincerely thank you! NCAP asks that you please share your experience with others and encourage your colleagues to join the cause in “Raising Your Profession”!
It starts best with education and for that we’ve got you covered. Click here to register for NCAP’s LAI Training! Now Accepting Applications! NCAP Fellow Practitioner Recognition Program In an effort to continually promote pharmacy advancement in the state and acknowledge excellence among those in our field, NCAP has created a new Fellow Practitioner Recognition Program. This program offers a pathway for pharmacy leaders in our state to be awarded NCAP Fellow status (FNCAP) signifying their extensive contributions to the association and to the advancement of pharmacy practice. The program is officially accepting applications for the first recognition cycle. The priority deadline to apply is March 18, 2022. Pharmacy leaders are encouraged to self-nominate! Click here for more information and for details on how to apply. Please email Megan at fellow@ncpharmacists.org for any questions.
Event News Events Calendar December APhA/WSU Pharmacy-Based Immunization Administration by Pharmacy Technicians Wednesday, December 8th 9:00 am – 1:00 pm ACPE Application-based - Contact 4.00 ACPE Knowledge-based – Non Contact 2.00 Hosted by: Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
NCAP E-News
Isssue 10-12
in partnership with the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists Where: Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Services Main Campus, Buies Creek, NC Registration Fee: $225 Click here for more information and to register! Financial Buzz Wednesday, December 8th 6:30 pm Topic: Protection Planning Click here for more information and to register for Financial Buzz! Financial Buzz is for NCAP members who are residents, fellows or recent graduates (2015 – 2021). This is a financial series tailored to address the unique needs of new practitioner pharmacists such as paying back school loans, starting retirement savings, financial protection and more. Click the link above for requirements and registration. Sunday Evening Webinar Series Sunday, December 12th 6:00 – 7:00 pm Making Strides in Practice Advancement: An Overview of NC Legislative Wins for Pharmacy ACPE accredited for 1.0 hour of live CE Click here for more information and to register. Join us for the final, live webinar of 2021 in our Sunday Evening Webinar Series. Our speaker will be Megan Yelenic Witkowski, NCAP’s Executive Fellow.
Page 2
January SE Women of Pharmacy Leadership Weekend
At-large: Christine Heath At-large: Caroline Miller At-large: Jonathan Harward At-large: Tori Watkins
Friday, January 14 - 16, 2022
Health-Systems Practice Academy
Where: Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC
Chair-elect: Jeffrey Reichard At-large: Oksana Kamneva
Accredited for 9.0 hours of live CE Click here for more information.
ASHP Delegates Angela Livingood Mary Parker
Questions? Contact Angie, angie@ncpharmacists.org.
Announcements
Congratulations to all on your new positions. For E-News corrections please contact Rhonda at rhonda@ncpharmacists.org.
2022 Election Results
Online PTCB prep courses for pharmacy techs. We help you pass your exam and attain certification! Now, Edupharmtech.com has 8 hours of continuing education available to PTCB CPhT’s applying for recertification. Bundle and Save!
Each year the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists holds an election to fill available seats on the various practice academy leadership teams and the executive board. Thank you so much for taking the time to vote. I am pleased to share the results of our most recent election. The following elected members will begin serving their terms on January 1, 2022.
Use discount code NCAP on the All Course Bundle to save 10%.
Executive Board President-elect: Ouita Gatton At-large: Macary Weck Marciniak Ambulatory Care Practice Academy
HELPING COMMUNITY PHARMACIES GAIN CONFIDENCE AND PEACE OF MIND
Chair-elect: Andy Warren At-large: Gwen Seamon At-large: Mackie King
paasnational.com
Chronic Care Practice Academy Chair-elect: David Phillips At-large: Taylor McDaniel Community Care Practice Academy Chair-elect: Katie Trotta NCAP E-News
Isssue 10-12
Page 3