January 31, 2019: Members of the West Virginia Pharmacists Association were mailed descriptions of legislation that are under consideration in the West Virginia Legislature. A total of 14 bills impacting pharmacies has been introduced during the first 22 days of the session. The session ends March 9.
Here are brief descriptions of some of the proposed legislation of interest to pharmacists: Universal forms to be used for prior authorization submitted electronically…Difference between the retail price of brand name product and the generic product must be passed on to the consumer…Partial filling of Schedule II permitted…Exemptions from mandated immunizations permitted…Wholesalers to report data to Board of Pharmacy…PEIA Rx program to be turned over to Medicaid…A Pharmacy Audit Integrity Act calls for PBMs to give information to State…Proposal for state to become wholesale prescription drug importer…Finances of boards under review… Provisional license to practice proposed…and Pharmacists permitted to convert Rx.
Other information mailed WVPA members include CMS proposed rule to be demise of DIR fees and pharmacists called to lead outpatient antibiotic stewardship.
The Legislature wants the Board of Pharmacy to test a proposal in hospitals and institutional pharmacy settings before creating an Advanced Practice Pharmacy Technician.
The Legislature approved the Board of Pharmacy creating and registering nuclear pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support staff.
To stay informed about pharmacy issues become a WVPA member by sending your name, mailing address and email address to WVPA, 2016 1/2 Kanawha Blvd., East, Charleston, WV 25311 (Tel: 304-344-5302) The annual membership fee is $175.
