Senate Bill Introduced to End Retroactive ‘DIR Fees’: This week four U.S. Senators introduced bipartisan legislation to boost transparency in Medicare Part D drug spending and to prohibit retroactive "DIR fees" in response to concerns raised by NCPA members and staff. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) introduced the "Improving Transparency and Accuracy in Medicare Part D Spending Act," S. 3308. Companion legislation to H.R. 5951 which was introduced Sept. 8, the bill would end DIR fees, assessed long after prescriptions are filled.
Take Action Now to Ban Retroactive DIR Fees: Urge your members of Congress to cosponsor S. 3308/H.R. 5951, identical Senate and House bills that would prohibit PBMs in Medicare Part D from retroactively reducing payments to pharmacies for clean claims under prompt-pay provisions–effectively eliminating retroactive direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) clawbacks by PBMs. Your voice is needed on Capitol Hill. Use the link below to send messages to your legislators urging them to support these bills. To date, 5,594 emails have been sent to Hill offices since September 8th on these two vital bills, reaching 96 senate offices and 402 house offices. Congress will be in session only a few weeks this legislative year, so make your voice heard NOW.
Optum Agrees to Meet with Pharmacies, Wholesalers Regarding New Policy: As reported last week, NCPA recently joined forces with NACDS, the Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA), the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP), and the Health Industry Distributors Association (HIDA) to voice our strong concerns to a new requirement effective October 1 that OptumRx network pharmacy providers purchase prescription drugs only from VAWD accredited distributors. We are happy to report that Optum has agreed to meet with signatories to the letter. NCPA will keep members apprised of the outcome.
National Pharmacy Orgs Ask Boards of Pharmacy to Grant a Five Year Delay in Enforcement of USP General Chapter <800>: This week, NCPA, along with six other national pharmacy orgs including APhA, ASCP, CPNP, IACP, NASPA and NACDS, sent letters to all state boards of pharmacy requesting a five year delay in enforcement of USP General Chapter <800> until July 1, 2021 (the official implementation date is July 1, 2018). U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP), General Chapter <800>, Hazardous Drugs–Handling in Healthcare Settings will apply to all healthcare personnel who handle hazardous drug preparations. A delay in enforcement of USP <800> allows healthcare organizations sufficient time to plan and gradually implement changes. Our organizations feel that a delay in enforcement is warranted, similar to the phased in approach that accompanied the introduction of USP General Chapter <797> Pharmaceutical Compounding–Sterile. This grace period allows state-licensed practitioners to assess and plan for the significant operational and structural changes needed as well as budget and obtain the necessary resources in an already strained financial environment.
USP General Chapter <800> FAQ’s Posted: This week, USP posted updated FAQ’s regarding General Chapter <800>, Hazardous Drugs–Handling in Healthcare Settings. The responses are provided by members of the USP Compounding Expert Committee and have been provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an official interpretation of USP text or relied on to demonstrate compliance with USP standards or requirements. Please click here for the FAQ’s: http://www.usp.org/frequently-asked-questions/hazardous-drugs-handling-healthcare-settings
NCPA’s Advocacy Report provides a weekly detailed summary of recent and breaking legislative, regulatory and state developments impacting independent community pharmacy, and NCPA efforts to effect policies to the benefit of its membership and the industry. The weekly report is distributed to NCPA leadership, key committees, allied organizations/stakeholders and major contributors to the NCPA LDF and PAC.