As always, the American Society for Pharmacy Law (“ASPL”) gathered pharmacy attorneys and pharmacists for an excellent three-day conference focusing on pharmacy legal issues. Some of the highlights of the conference:
Regulatory updates: Despite various state and federal attempts to lower drug prices, they continue to grow mostly due to high deductible plans, cost-sharing, increased
Only a few exceptions exist to the rule that a pharmacist must dispense pursuant to a valid prescription. Such exceptions are: furnishing emergency contraceptives, hormonal contraceptives, and naloxone hydrochloride. Beginning next year, pharmacists in California also will be able to dispense HIV prevention drugs without prescriptions.
Senate Bill 159 authorizes pharmacists to furnish a 30-day
According to the most recent federal decision on the topic, state regulations of outsourcing facilities are not preempted by federal law. And therefore, facilities should comply with both.
The state-preemption challenge was brought by a federally-registered outsourcing facility against California on a ground that it denied its application under certain pharmacy-related regulations. Namely, a California
More and more states are mandating e-prescribing. Some states require e-prescribing only for CII controlled substances, some for all controlled substances, and some require e-scripts for all medications.
States with current e-Rx mandate laws are:
Earlier this year, I posted an update that a uniquely serialized number attributable to a prescriber must appear on California prescription forms for controlled substances. The new requirement became effective on January 1, 2019. The Enforcement Committee, however, recommended to the California State Board of Pharmacy to allow for grandfathering time until June 1, 2019.
Starting January 1, 2019, a new security feature must appear on California prescription forms for controlled substances. The legislature amended Health & Safety Code § 11162.1 by adding the 15th security feature: a uniquely serialized number attributable to a prescriber.
Most prescribers still use their old prescription forms, which do not have a serialized number.
Walmart and RB Health started offering free access to Doctor-on-Demand to some of its customers. In a recent announcement, the parties emphasized their commitment to provide unprecedented access to low-cost high-quality healthcare. Customers who purchase Mucinex®, Delsym®, Airborne® or Digestive Advantage® at Walmart stores now receive a voucher for a no-cost telehealth medical consultation
The California Board of Pharmacy’s July 2018 issue of “The Script” highlights new regulations on inventory reconciliation of controlled substances. Because dispensing controlled substances is still the most frequently cited disciplinary offense, this post focuses and further explains some of the requirements. The regulation could be found in California Code of Regulations, title 16, Section
Many California pharmacies have questions regarding the newly enacted California’s prohibition on drug manufacturers’ coupons, co-pay cards, and other discounts. The prohibition became effective on January 1, 2018, and created confusion within the industry about when manufacturer’s assistance can be applied to medications dispensed.
To start, California’s AB265 attempts to curb the ever-rising drug costs
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that in 2017 it recovered more than $3.7 billion stemming from the enforcement of the False Claims Act. The healthcare industry accounted for most of it ($2.4 billion).
The largest portion of recoveries from the healthcare industry came from drug and medical device companies (more than $900 million). The