OPA Legislative Alert: As Pharmacists Across Ohio Answer the Call, OPA is Answering Yours

MARCH 23, 2020 | APSC SHAREHOLDERS

The following was received from the Ohio Pharmacists Association on March 20, 2020

The past week has felt like an entire month's worth of work at OPA. We know that it's felt like a lifetime for pharmacists and pharmacy staff across Ohio. Because we know that you've been busy, we wanted to update you on all that we've been fighting for on your behalf.

OPA staff has been fielding a flurry of calls and emails from pharmacists telling their stories, highlighting problems, blowing the whistle on safety issues, sharing best practices, and providing recommendations for how the state can maximize their efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We have listened, and we have utilized all of it.

Today capped a series of significant policy changes that will better empower pharmacists to elevate the standard of care in their pharmacies, reduce administrative hassles, and keep themselves and their patients safe.

After a series of reforms announced by the Board of Pharmacy this week that reduced pharmacy staff hiring hurdles, allowed more administrative functions to be done remotely, opened up compounding capabilities amid shortages, prioritized use of protective equipment, authorized emergency refills, and reduced regulatory requirements; the Board, in cooperation with OPA, released several significant measures that aim to protect pharmacy staff and the patients they serve .

To reiterate what we said in this week's Newsline, OPA would like to thank Governor Mike DeWine, Board of Pharmacy Executive Director Steve Schierholt, board president Shawn Wilt, and board policy director Cameron McNamee for consistent and thorough communication with OPA, swift reviews and considerations, and an overall proactive approach that is clearing ambiguity and keeping pharmacy staff and patients safe.

Today, we were also pleased with two other major wins:

At the request of OPA, the Ohio Department of Insurance announced that a moratorium on all pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) audits of pharmacies during the declared emergency.
At the request of OPA, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Ohio announced that they were waiving patient signature requirements for prescriptions, reducing the risk of transmission. OPA has been asking the state to prohibit this traditional PBM/insurer requirement during this emergency time, and we appreciate UnitedHealthcare being an industry leader in this regard. We call on others to do the same, and we call on the state to make this the standard until the state of emergency is lifted and the transmission risk is diminished.

Recognizing the need for further reforms, OPA has sent a letter to the governor's office this week to also make requests for the following:

Securing reasonable amounts of personal protective equipment (PPE) for pharmacies without the ability to maintain safe distances
As mentioned above, temporarily eliminate insurer/PBM requirements for patient signatures, and to protect pharmacies from audit takebacks due to a lack of signatures
Eliminating insurer/PBM limits and restrictions on mailing and delivering prescriptions
Empowering pharmacists to test and treat for flu, strep, and other tests, including COVID-19 as appropriate and as it becomes available, and if adequate PPE is made available for testing
Ending restrictive insurer/PBM networks and single-source contracts that are restricting patient access to needed medications and supplies
Allowing pharmacists to dispense emergency medications without a prescription
Requiring insurer/PBM coverage of compounded shortage medications
Creating a formal assessment and referral process for pharmacies encountering high-risk patients
Removing unnecessary prior authorizations and "refill too soon" limits from insurers/PBMs
Allowing therapeutic substitution for drugs of concern and medications that are out of supply or in shortage
Implementing Medicaid provider ID numbers for pharmacists
Allowing insurance coverage for pharmacist-initiated medications and OTC products
Obtaining reimbursement for pharmacist-rendered services (consult agreement drug therapy management, INRs, etc.) to relieve pressure on health systems and emergency departments

These are just a few of our suggestions, but we are open to hear many more. We are gathering feedback hourly at this point. If you see any opportunities or concerns that you feel need to be addressed, please contact aciaccia@ohiopharmacists.org .

As a reminder, this week we launched a special section of our website dedicated to COVID-19 news and resources. We plan to update with any and all relevant information. In the interest of serving the profession and the public, we have made this open to all members and non-members alike. Please bookmark it and check it often.

The Ohio Department of Health has created a special checklist of the top 10 things pharmacies can do prepare for and protect from COVID-19 . They also created a general guide for businesses and employers .

In closing, we are so incredibly proud of how pharmacists and pharmacy teams are stepping up in this moment of disruption and risk. We have already heard a number of amazing stories of pharmacists being nimble, clever, and resourceful in their efforts to meet the growing and complex needs of their patients and their communities. Please let us know what you are doing, so that we can keep track of how you are innovating, adapting, and succeeding. Fill out this brief survey . If a member of OPA's team reaches out to you to get more information, please take a few minutes to respond. If you are willing and able, we want to share your stories with other pharmacists, media, and state officials. It's time to show the public the value of pharmacists.

Keep us in the loop on the issues you're facing, and we will continue pushing to address them. To you and your families: Be safe. Be healthy. Be resilient. Be pharmacists.

American Pharmacy Services Corporation | www.apscnet.com

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