NCPA staff meets with CMS to discuss DIR fees
This week, NCPA staff met with the acting deputy director for the Medicare program at CMS to discuss DIR and its impact on independent community pharmacy. We shared our policy positions for addressing DIR as well as concerns and recommendations we have in relation to how pharmacy “quality” is currently measured in the Part D program. CMS is currently drafting a Part D rule for CY2020, and NCPA is very hopeful that DIR fees will be addressed. It is important for all independent pharmacy stakeholders to reach out to their CMS regional offices and request meetings and/or phone calls to discuss DIR and other key Part D issues and to offer proposed solutions. Please let NCPA know if you secure meetings. Here is a link to more info on the regional offices: https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/RegionalOffices/index.html.
House Committee on Education and Workforce
hearing with Secretary Azar
At a Wednesday hearing in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce entitled "Examining the Policies and Priorities of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services," HHS Secretary Alex Azar made several statements that support key issues after being questioned by two community pharmacy champions. Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN) asked Secretary Azar about the role of PBMs and if there is actually any “benefit to me as a physician writing the prescription and the patient actually getting their prescription filled.” Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA) asked Azar about DIR clawbacks, and Azar again confirmed that he has asked the inspector general to look into the issue and added, "I think it's important to ensure fair competition and beneficiary access. We want to make sure the pharmacy access is supported for beneficiaries."
Next week’s House vote on opioid legislation
Next week, the full House will begin consideration of legislation to address the opioid crisis. It is expected that the floor process will take two weeks to consider the large number of bills moving through the House committees of jurisdiction. During the first week, the House will vote on bills from the Ways and Means Committee. The following week, the House will consider the 50+ bills advanced by the Energy and Commerce Committee, including two bills endorsed by NCPA to provide for electronic prescribing of controlled substances and to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue guidance that would empower pharmacists on when they can deny to fill prescriptions for opioids if they suspect fraud or abuse.
NCPA staff present webinar to Washington DC
Pharmacy Association members on PBMs
This past Wednesday, NCPA staff members Kala Shankle, director of policy and regulatory affairs, and Allie Jo Shipman, associate director of state government affairs, spoke with WDCPhA members on the impact PBMs have had on community pharmacy. The presentation covered current federal and state laws, issues with those laws, and future solutions that NCPA is advocating for in order to remedy present day impacts.
NCPA participates in House Republican District Director Fly-In
This week, NCPA was invited by House Republican Conference Chairwoman, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wa.), to participate with several other outside organizations in the House Republican District Director Fly-In on Capitol Hill. The purpose of the event was to help connect House staff with resources on events that members of Congress can do in their districts. NCPA staff was able to share resources with district directors, chiefs of staff, and communications directors for House Republicans on partnering with NCPA to host pharmacy visits and roundtables in congressional districts.
Pharmacy visits are a tremendous opportunity to provide elected officials with a first-hand look at the role independent pharmacies play in fostering positive patient outcomes in their communities and in the health care system overall. NCPA encourages all independent pharmacies to invite their member of Congress for a visit to their pharmacy. Resources are available on the pharmacy visit webpage. Please contact Michael Rule at michael.rule@ncpanet.org or (703) 838-2671 with questions or to let him know a visit or meeting has been scheduled so he can assist you in preparing.
Mixed results in recent primaries
for NCPA-supported candidates
On May 22nd, a pair of NCPA-supported candidates faced runoff elections in the Republican Congressional primaries in their respective districts. In the 6th Congressional district, NCPA-supported candidate Ron Wright won the runoff and advanced to the general election where he will be favored to replace retiring Congressman Joe Barton. Unfortunately, in the 2nd district, NCPA’s preferred candidate, State Representative Kevin Roberts, failed to advance to the general election. However, he will remain a strong voice in the state legislature.
In primaries this week, NCPA-supported candidate Dusty Johnson won the Republican primary in South Dakota to replace Kristi Noem, who is running for Governor. He is favored to win the general election in November. However, in Alabama, Congresswoman Martha Roby, a supporter of community pharmacy, was forced into a runoff in her primary, which will be held on July 17.
NCPA state affairs team recaps 2018 successes
With most state legislative sessions done or winding down for 2018, NCPA’s state affairs team produced a short ten minute video recap of some of the significant pro-pharmacy bills the states passed this year. 2018 was indeed a productive year at the state level for pharmacy issues. Kudos to our state partners for all of their great work and NCPA looks forward to continuing to collaborate with our partners to build on these successes for the remainder of the year and into 2019.
NCPA submits comments on proposed
Alabama compounding rules
NCPA submitted comments to the Alabama Board of Pharmacy related to their proposed compounding rules. The comments requested technical changes to the proposed rules and requested a fiscal note be attached if the Board intended to enforce all standards contained in USP <800>.
NCPA submits comments on draft NCOIL
PBM Licensure and Regulation Model Act
NCPA submitted comments in support of the draft model act for regulation of PBMs being considered by the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) and offered suggestions to strengthen certain sections of the model act. NCPA staff also attended a conference call of the NCOIL Health, Long-Term Care, and Health Retirement Issues Committee where suggested amendments to the act were made by state insurance legislators and industry stakeholders.