Four national pharmacy organizations blasted an Aug. 15 decision by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals allowing pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to escape certain state regulations in Oklahoma by hiding behind the alleged preemption of that law by federal ERISA and Medicare Part D laws. The National Community Pharmacists Association, the American Pharmacists Association, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, American Pharmacies and the Oklahoma Pharmacists Association jointly signed on as amici to defend Oklahoma’s 2019 law regulating PBMs. The PBM lobby, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, challenged the law in federal court. In 2022, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma largely upheld the law. PCMA appealed only four of the 13 originally challenged provisions. [...]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a second opioid overdose reversal agent for over-the-counter, nonprescription use. ReVive, a 3-milligram naloxone hydrochloric nasal spray from Harm Reduction Therapeutics Inc., was given the green light by the FDA on July 28. The new spray will be available in early 2024 primarily to state governments and harm reduction organizations nationwide at "costs lower than other opioid antagonist nasal sprays," according to the company. At least 200,000 doses will be made available at no cost. In March, the FDA approved Narcan, a 4-milligram naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for over-the-counter use. Read more (subscription required)

In addition to signing Senate Bill 219, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer put her signature on House Bills 4495 and 4496 Wednesday, July 19, which aim to streamline and increase access to the Healthy Michigan Plan, a Medicaid program provided through the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and authorized under the federal Affordable Care Act. Created by the Michigan Legislature in 2014, the Healthy Michigan Plan now covers about one million people in the state. Available to those who don’t meet the requirements for other Medicaid programs, Healthy Michigan is open to Michiganders ages 19 to 64 who earn an income at or below 138% of the federal poverty level – $18,754 for an individual or $36,908 for a family of four. [...]

LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill (SB) 219 into law today, quickly approving an MPA-priority measure that was introduced earlier this year. SB 219 authorizes pharmacists to independently prescribe and administer Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices-indicated (ACIP) vaccines to patients ages 3 and up. Additionally, it allows for pharmacists to independently administer Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-waived (CLIA) tests for influenza and COVID-19. In the event of a positive test, the legislation allows pharmacists to dispense appropriate antiviral therapies to the patient. The final version of the bill includes the following provisions: Pharmacists may independently order an immunization recommended by ACIP to individuals 3 years of age and up provided they have completed a board-approved training program. Requires pharmacists [...]

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a birth control pill to be sold without a prescription for the first time in the United States, a milestone that could significantly expand access to contraception. The medication, called Opill, will become the most effective birth control method available over the counter — more effective at preventing pregnancy than condoms, spermicides and other nonprescription methods. Experts in reproductive health said its availability could be especially useful for young women, teenagers and those who have difficulty dealing with the time, costs or logistical hurdles involved in visiting a doctor to obtain a prescription. The pill’s manufacturer, Perrigo Company, based in Dublin, said Opill would most likely become available from stores and online retailers in [...]